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Trump Threatens Jail for Journalist Over Iran Rescue Leak

The warning tests press freedom given lawyers say the U.S. has little leverage to force a foreign reporter to identify a source.

Overview

  • Trump, who spoke Monday, said he would press the outlet that published the rescue details to reveal the leaker or face jail, calling it a national security case.
  • A White House official told Fox News Digital that an investigation is underway to identify who disclosed that one of the two airmen was still missing in Iran.
  • Early reports surfaced Friday as Israeli journalists posted and published that one crew member was rescued and another was unaccounted for, and U.S. outlets later matched the news citing officials.
  • Israeli reporter Amit Segal has been cited as an early publisher and says he is unsure he was first, adding that he will protect his sources.
  • Legal observers note the U.S. has limited jurisdiction to compel a foreign-based journalist to disclose sources, while Trump argues the disclosure put the ongoing rescue effort and personnel at greater risk.