Justice Department Withdraws Subpoenas for Reporters

Subpoenas requiring reporters to appear before a grand jury are extremely uncommon in the United States. On June 23, 2026, the Justice Department made an unusual move by attempting to compel journalists from The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal to give testimony at a federal grand jury.

This situation unfolded at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia. The news organizations challenged these subpoenas, leading the Justice Department to retract them earlier this month.

A Justice Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the withdrawal of the subpoenas. This decision marks a noteworthy development as press freedom remains a critical issue in the country.