US Justice Department Issues Subpoena to NYT Reporter Over "Kim Jong Un Wiretapping Operation Failure" Report

Increase in Subpoenas Issued to Journalists
by Trump’s Second Administration

It was belatedly revealed that the U.S. government under President Donald Trump had sent a subpoena to a New York Times (NYT) reporter regarding past reports on the U.S. Navy's failed infiltration operation against North Korea.

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met at Panmunjom in 2019. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On August 1 (local time), the NYT reported that in February, the U.S. Department of Justice had issued a subpoena to NYT freelance reporter Matthew Cole, requiring his appearance before a federal grand jury. The subpoena was related to an article published in September last year about a 2019 U.S. Navy military operation targeting North Korea, and the intent was to reveal his sources for that story. Cole reported that, during the Trump administration’s first term, while nuclear negotiations with North Korea were ongoing, Navy SEALs attempted a top-secret "Kim Jong Un wiretapping" mission by infiltrating the North Korean coast. However, the operation failed when a boat carrying civilians appeared.

FBI agents attempted to deliver the federal prosecutor’s subpoena directly to Cole's residence in New York City, but he was not home. The subpoena was then delivered to his attorney.

The NYT pointed out that investigators sought to obtain two years' worth of Cole’s reporting records to uncover the sources behind the story. It is reported that Cole had interviewed 24 sources, including officials from Trump’s first administration as well as former and current military personnel, for the article.

Both Cole and the NYT strongly criticized the U.S. Department of Justice's action. Cole’s attorney stated, "Cole has dedicated his life to exposing official misconduct and informing the public on how the government operates. He will protect press freedom from the administration’s bold attacks on journalists and honor his commitment to his sources until the end."

Charlie Stadtlander, spokesperson for the NYT, condemned the subpoena, saying, "This subpoena is an example of the government escalating its attacks against journalists, which should concern all Americans. Demands to disclose sources are yet another attack by the administration seeking to block the release of information that the public has a right to know."

The Department of Justice declined to comment on the investigation itself, but stated that it would employ all available legal means to identify those who have unlawfully leaked national security information. Furthermore, the department has reportedly not retracted the subpoena even after Cole formally objected.

Previously, the Trump administration had required reporters to submit materials or issued subpoenas in order to identify sources for a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article regarding White House discussions on the Iran war, as well as an NYT article pointing out security concerns related to President Trump’s new Air Force One. However, the subpoenas in those cases were reportedly withdrawn. Additionally, a Washington Post (WP) reporter who covered U.S. military operations in Venezuela also reportedly received a subpoena.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.