The US Department of Justice has ordered four New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury after they reported on security concerns with President Donald Trump's new Qatari-donated Air Force One.

The subpoenas were delivered to the homes of reporters Eric Schmitt, Tyler Pager, Eric Lipton and Julian E Barnes, according to the Times. They are compelled to testify before a grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera.

The subpoenas were authorized by Jay Clayton, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York.

The journalists reported on Trump's decision to use his old Air Force One for his return flight from the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week, rather than the new jet gifted by Qatar. Trump said the switch was made to allow the new aircraft to visit RAF Mildenhall, an air base in England, so military members could tour the base.

However, the Times reported that the change came at the Secret Service's urging due to security concerns. A follow-up report indicated that the new Air Force One lacked the security capabilities of the old jet, citing two anonymous former Air Force officials who said there would not have been enough time to make necessary upgrades before the flight.

Before the subpoenas were issued, an unnamed senior FBI official contacted the Times, asking the newspaper to hold off on its reporting, citing national security concerns. The official also requested information on the Times's anonymous sources. The newspaper declined to provide such information, citing standard journalistic practice.

The subpoenas have prompted outcry from press freedom advocates. David McCraw, the Times's lawyer, said in a statement: "The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects."

The Committee to Protect Journalists called the subpoenas "an extraordinary escalation in President Trump's efforts to threaten and intimidate independent news organizations."

The Trump administration has denied seeking to erode press freedom, instead citing national security needs.

The subpoenas mark the latest clash between the Trump administration and US media outlets. Trump has sued the Times for $15 billion, alleging defamation and an attempt to sabotage his 2024 presidential campaign. He has also launched a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC over its coverage of his January 6, 2021, speech, and is seeking $10 billion from The Wall Street Journal over reporting on a birthday message he allegedly sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In January, the FBI raided the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, who covered Trump administration efforts to scale back the federal workforce. At least two judges have barred the Trump administration from using information seized during that raid.

Sources: France 24, Al Jazeera