DOJ Warns Media: Reporters Face Subpoenas in Classified Leak Investigations

WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche warned media outlets and reporters Tuesday that they should expect subpoenas if they possess information about individuals leaking classified national security material.

“Prosecuting leakers who share our nation’s secrets with reporters, in turn risking our national security and the lives of our soldiers, is a priority for this administration,” Blanche stated. “Any witness, whether a reporter or otherwise, who has information about these criminals should not be surprised if they receive a subpoena about the illegal leaking of classified material.”

The warning comes as the Justice Department ramps up probes into unauthorized disclosures tied to U.S. military operations in the Iran conflict. President Donald Trump has privately pressed the department to pursue sources aggressively after multiple outlets published details of internal deliberations on Iran strategy. Trump reportedly handed Blanche a stack of such articles marked with the word “treason.”

The Justice Department has already issued subpoenas in several leak cases, including to Wall Street Journal reporters covering Pentagon concerns and pre-strike planning. The probes focus on material that officials say could endanger American troops, intelligence assets, and ongoing missions in the Middle East.

Blanche’s statement aligns with the administration’s broader effort to stem politically motivated leaks. Earlier this month the FBI opened a formal investigation into possible classified disclosures by Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats during Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation process. The move also follows Acting AG Blanche’s decision to rescind prior restrictions that had limited investigators’ ability to subpoena journalists in leak cases.

The Trump administration maintains that stopping such leaks is essential to protecting U.S. forces and preserving strategic advantages during a period of heightened global tensions. Critics have raised concerns about press freedoms, but officials say the focus remains squarely on holding those who betray classified information accountable.