Justice Department Defends Subpoenas To Wall Street Journal Reporters
The Justice Department on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, defended subpoenas it issued in March for Wall Street Journal reporters' records tied to a national security leak probe.[1]
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said prosecuting leakers who share classified information with reporters is a priority.[1] A Justice Department official added the subpoenas are aimed at government employees suspected of leaking secrets, not the reporters themselves.[1] The department said the records sought are tied to a Feb. 23 article on the Iran war.[1] Dow Jones communications chief Ashok Sinha called the move an attack on constitutionally protected newsgathering and said the company will fight the subpoenas.[1]
On March 4, the Wall Street Journal received the Justice Department subpoenas seeking reporters' records related to the Feb. 23 Iran war article.[1] Earlier this year, the FBI searched Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home in a separate leak investigation and seized electronic devices.[1] An April 2025 memo by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi removed prior limits on subpoenaing reporters' records and made it easier for leak probes to seek journalists' materials.[1]
Department officials said the subpoenas and related measures are needed to protect classified information and national security while investigators pursue leak cases.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On March 4, 2026, the Wall Street Journal received DOJ subpoenas seeking records related to a Feb. 23 Iran war article.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on May 12, 2026, that prosecuting leakers who share classified information with reporters is a priority.
- A DOJ official said the subpoenas target government employees leaking secrets, not the reporters themselves.
- Earlier in 2026, the FBI searched Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home in a separate leak probe, seizing electronic devices.
- An April 2025 memo by then-AG Pam Bondi rescinded prior restrictions and made it easier to subpoena journalists’ records in leak investigations.
- Dow Jones communications chief Ashok Sinha called the subpoenas an attack on constitutionally protected newsgathering and said the company will fight them.
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