Wall Street Journal: Trump Displeased with War Leaks, US Justice Department Vigorously Investigates Media
Former President Trump's dissatisfaction with media leaks regarding the Iran war prompted a robust Justice Department investigation into news organizations, including the Wall Street Journal, raising concerns about press freedom.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 21:01
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 21:32 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 04:24 (6h 51m after Collected)
Central News Agency (Washington 11th, comprehensive foreign news report) According to knowledgeable government officials, then-President Trump privately complained last month to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about media leaks that emerged after the outbreak of the Iran war, prompting the Justice Department to vigorously launch related investigation actions.
The Wall Street Journal reported that an official stated Blanche promised to obtain subpoenas specifically for records of journalists who had written sensitive national security reports. Another official said that during one meeting, Trump handed Blanche a stack of news clippings that he and other senior officials believed jeopardized national security, with "treason" written on sticky notes attached. The Justice Department and the Department of War have reportedly discussed this.
Officials pointed out that Trump was particularly displeased with detailed reports on how he made the decision to go to war, and the advice his aides offered during his deliberations.
A Justice Department spokesperson stated: "In any circumstances, the Justice Department will pursue individuals who commit crimes against the United States based on facts and law." White House officials referred requests for comment to the Justice Department.
The Wall Street Journal received a grand jury subpoena dated March 4, demanding records of its reporters.
The subpoena's request was related to a February 23 report stating that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and other Department of War officials had warned the President about the risks of launching a prolonged military operation against Iran. Media outlets such as Axios and The Washington Post published similar reports on the same day. Trump launched the war five days later on February 28.
Ashok Sinha, Chief Communications Officer at Dow Jones, stated: "The government issuing subpoenas to the Wall Street Journal and its reporters is an attack on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press. News reporting is crucial, and we strongly oppose such attempts to suppress and intimidate." The Wall Street Journal is a publication of Dow Jones.
The Washington Post and Axios spokespersons declined to comment.
Knowledgeable sources revealed that in recent months, prosecutors have issued subpoenas to multiple media organizations and email and telephone service providers, seeking information related to the leak investigation.
Bruce Brown, Executive Director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, stated: "From past experience, the Justice Department only issues subpoenas to news organizations in leak cases after exhausting all investigative means against non-media sources."
Theodore Boutrous, a prominent lawyer currently representing The New York Times in a lawsuit regarding Pentagon press access, stated that the grand jury subpoena "attempts to directly intrude into the journalist-source relationship and the newsgathering process, a process that is essential for the American people to obtain information about their government." (Translated by Ho Hung-Ju) 1150512
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The Wall Street Journal reported that an official stated Blanche promised to obtain subpoenas specifically for records of journalists who had written sensitive national security reports. Another official said that during one meeting, Trump handed Blanche a stack of news clippings that he and other senior officials believed jeopardized national security, with "treason" written on sticky notes attached. The Justice Department and the Department of War have reportedly discussed this.
Officials pointed out that Trump was particularly displeased with detailed reports on how he made the decision to go to war, and the advice his aides offered during his deliberations.
A Justice Department spokesperson stated: "In any circumstances, the Justice Department will pursue individuals who commit crimes against the United States based on facts and law." White House officials referred requests for comment to the Justice Department.
The Wall Street Journal received a grand jury subpoena dated March 4, demanding records of its reporters.
The subpoena's request was related to a February 23 report stating that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and other Department of War officials had warned the President about the risks of launching a prolonged military operation against Iran. Media outlets such as Axios and The Washington Post published similar reports on the same day. Trump launched the war five days later on February 28.
Ashok Sinha, Chief Communications Officer at Dow Jones, stated: "The government issuing subpoenas to the Wall Street Journal and its reporters is an attack on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press. News reporting is crucial, and we strongly oppose such attempts to suppress and intimidate." The Wall Street Journal is a publication of Dow Jones.
The Washington Post and Axios spokespersons declined to comment.
Knowledgeable sources revealed that in recent months, prosecutors have issued subpoenas to multiple media organizations and email and telephone service providers, seeking information related to the leak investigation.
Bruce Brown, Executive Director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, stated: "From past experience, the Justice Department only issues subpoenas to news organizations in leak cases after exhausting all investigative means against non-media sources."
Theodore Boutrous, a prominent lawyer currently representing The New York Times in a lawsuit regarding Pentagon press access, stated that the grand jury subpoena "attempts to directly intrude into the journalist-source relationship and the newsgathering process, a process that is essential for the American people to obtain information about their government." (Translated by Ho Hung-Ju) 1150512
Stand with facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA “First-hand News” APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcasted, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.