Donald Trump Air Force One controversy leads to journalist subpoenas and security doubts

The New York Times published a series of reports alleging safety deficiencies in the new Air Force One jet gifted by Qatar, claiming it lacks advanced missile‑defence and communications systems. After the NATO summit, President Donald Trump chose to return to Washington on the older VC‑25 aircraft, citing Secret Service advice. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan subsequently subpoenaed several Times reporters to testify before a grand jury about the articles, a move the newspaper described as pressure on its sources.

Former CIA director Leon Panetta publicly questioned Trump’s explanation, suggesting the switch was driven by security concerns rather than maintenance issues and hinting at possible Iranian involvement in the region’s heightened tensions. Panetta warned that presidential aircraft built abroad could be vulnerable to foreign intelligence gathering, underscoring the broader debate over the safety and provenance of the Qatar‑provided jet.