White House Steps Into FBI Leak Probe Over Air Force One Security Report

The White House directed FBI Director Kash Patel to lead a leak investigation into The New York Times’ reporting on security deficiencies in the new Air Force One, culminating in subpoenas issued to multiple Times journalists late Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Patel canceled a trip to Chicago and spent approximately eight hours at the White House on Friday overseeing the investigation from there, bypassing FBI headquarters—a significant break from precedent. He briefed senior administration officials on the inquiry, though the individuals involved spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of internal discussions.

The White House’s direct involvement stemmed from President Trump’s frustration over reporting on the Qatari-donated aircraft, which The Times revealed lacks critical defensive countermeasures present in previous Air Force One models.

Trump had flown on the newer jet to a NATO summit in Turkey but switched to the older plane for departure after Secret Service raised security concerns. The Times previously reported on those concerns in its coverage.

Patel’s role in coordinating closely with administration officials underscores a growing erosion of the traditional separation between the White House and FBI under prior administrations. The Trump administration’s approach of targeting journalists early in such cases contrasts with historical protocols, which typically prioritize identifying internal leaks before pursuing media sources.

Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, emphasized in a statement: “President Trump is laser-focused on helping the American people and keeping them safe. That remains his top priority.”

Emily Covington, a Justice Department spokesperson, downplayed the subpoenas’ urgency, noting, “Every administration has addressed the crime of leaking national security information. To the extent we must investigate breaches of national security, we will continue to do so.” She added, “To be clear, reporters are not the targets—those leaking classified information are.”

FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson stated: “Director Patel and White House officials met at the White House to brief an ongoing matter. While we won’t comment further, other speculative reporting about the meeting is absolutely false.”

Sources indicated Patel had personal concerns about the public disclosure of the plane’s security details, while others suggested he independently chose to oversee the investigation.

Trump had pushed for rapid upgrades to the Qatari-donated 747 after learning that Boeing’s new presidential jets faced years-long delays. Though he praised the aircraft’s luxury, critics noted significant taxpayer spending on its modifications. Officials said Trump intends to donate the plane to his presidential library post-presidency.

The Times reported that the new plane lacks advanced antimissile systems, creating risks for overseas flights involving the president, staff, and accompanying personnel. After the Secret Service flagged vulnerabilities, Trump switched planes again in the UK, citing “old time’s sake” before returning to the U.S. on the newer jet.

Before publication, an FBI official contacted The Times to request holding its initial report, citing national security risks and demanding source disclosures—which the newspaper refused. Trump’s anger over the coverage reportedly influenced the investigation’s urgency.

Late Friday, 48 hours after the first article’s release, Times reporters received subpoenas requiring grand jury testimony by July 15. The Times’ lawyer, David McCraw, condemned the move as “an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what’s happening in their country by intimidating journalists.”

This rapid escalation departs from typical leak investigations, where officials first assess access to sensitive information before narrowing suspects. Historically, the Justice Department treats journalist subpoenas as a last resort. However, the Trump administration has pursued similar efforts in the Eastern District of Virginia, which stalled amid judicial pushback. The latest subpoenas, issued by the Southern District of New York under U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, align with his pending nomination as national intelligence director. The subpoenas and Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing are set for the same date.

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