US Justice Department subpoenas NYT freelancer Matthew Cole over North Korea story

Matthew Cole New York Times Justice Department subpoena North Korea SEAL mission press freedom

The U.S. Justice Department issued a grand‑jury subpoena to freelance journalist Matthew Cole of The New York Times, seeking more than two years of his notes and testimony about his sources for a 2025 article on a failed 2019 Navy SEAL mission in North Korea that killed unarmed North Koreans. The subpoena was delivered by FBI agents to Cole’s New York home in February and was signed by prosecutors in Newport News, Virginia.

The Times is covering Cole’s legal costs and has publicly supported his decision to disclose the subpoena, stating it opposes attempts to intimidate journalists. A Justice Department spokesperson said the agency will use all legal tools to uncover anyone who unlawfully discloses national‑defense information. The case is part of a broader effort by the administration to investigate leaks of classified material, a practice that was rare before President Trump’s second term. Similar subpoenas have been served on other major outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Entities: Federal Bureau of Investigation · Matthew Cole · North Korea · The New York Times · U.S. Justice Department

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] The subpoena seeks more than two years of Cole's notes and testimony about his sources. (All three articles)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The subpoena reflects an administration campaign to investigate leaks of government secrets, a practice rare before President Trump's second term. (Article 2)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post have faced similar subpoenas. (Article 2)
[● 2 SOURCES] The subpoena was issued by prosecutors in Newport News, Virginia, and delivered by FBI agents in February. (Articles 2 and 3)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The New York Times is providing legal representation for Matthew Cole. (Article 1)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The subpoena relates to a 2025 New York Times article about a failed 2019 Navy SEAL mission in North Korea that killed unarmed North Koreans. (Article 1)
[● 3 SOURCES] The U.S. Justice Department subpoenaed freelance journalist Matthew Cole. (All three articles)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Justice Department said it would use all legal tools to uncover unlawful disclosures of national defense information. (Article 2)