Federal agents served subpoenas on several New York Times journalists last week, sparking outrage over press freedoms.
The move has been condemned as an attack on the First Amendment right to gather news and protect sources.
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Stephen Adler, chairperson of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said the public's right to know is being crushed.
He warned that all of society suffers irreparable harm when the government targets journalists.
Times Editor Calls Subpoenas 'Naked Attempt to Intimidate'
Joseph Kahn, the top editor at the Times, described the subpoenas as a naked attempt to intimidate reporters.
He said the action aims to prevent the Times and other independent media from doing important reporting protected by the First Amendment.
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Kahn assured staff that the newspaper would defend its reporters aggressively.
The subpoenas specifically demand testimony about a Boeing 747 jet donated to former President Donald Trump by the Qatari government.
Trump intended to use the aircraft as a potential replacement for Air Force One.
A Times report revealed that the Secret Service advised Trump against using the plane when departing from Turkey due to security precautions, leading him to fly on the older presidential plane.
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The incident has heightened concerns over government overreach and the protection of journalistic sources. Press freedom advocates are closely watching how the case unfolds.
