National Press Club Criticizes Justice Department Subpoenas of NYT Journalists
The National Press Club has expressed deep concern over the U.S. Justice Department's decision to subpoena journalists from The New York Times, calling for an immediate withdrawal of the legal actions.
Washington D.C. – The National Press Club has condemned the U.S. Justice Department's decision to subpoena journalists at The New York Times, warning that the action threatens press freedom and constitutional rights.
In a statement released on July 11, 2026, National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. asserted that the Justice Department's move jeopardizes the public's right to an independent press. "The National Press Club calls on the Justice Department to immediately withdraw these subpoenas and reaffirm a principle that has long distinguished the United States: a free and independent press serves the people, not the government," Schoeff stated.
Schoeff emphasized that such actions against journalists can deter sources and whistleblowers, ultimately limiting public knowledge of government affairs. "When federal agents arrive at journalists' homes with subpoenas, it is not ordinary law enforcement. It is an extraordinary assault on the freedom of the press that strikes at the heart of the First Amendment," he said.
The organization, founded in 1908, highlights that press freedom is crucial for holding power accountable. The National Press Club is a professional organization for journalists and advocates for press freedom domestically and internationally.