Trump Administration to Search Journalists' Communication Records to Identify Leakers

The Trump administration in the United States has decided to resume searching journalists' communication records in order to identify government insiders responsible for leaking internal information.

On April 25 (local time), Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in an official statement that the Department of Justice would change its policy regarding the search of journalists' communication records in connection with government information leaks that have occurred since the beginning of the Trump administration, according to the Washington Post (WP).

Attorney General Bondi stated that she supports an "independent and free press," but pointed out that "certain members of the mainstream news media lack independence." The Department of Justice explained that "searches of journalists' communication records will be conducted only after all other investigative methods have been exhausted," and that "interrogation or arrest of journalists related to reporting on leaked information will require approval from the Attorney General."

In particular, Attorney General Bondi emphasized, "The Department of Justice will not tolerate unauthorized disclosures of information that undermine President Trump's policies, damage government agencies, and harm the American people."

In response, Matt Murray, executive editor of the Washington Post, issued a statement criticizing the move, saying, "The First Amendment is at the core of our democracy and is a constitutional right guaranteed to all Americans," and, "When the government subpoenas journalists and searches their communication records, it threatens the constitutional rights essential to an independent press."

Previously, during the first Trump administration, the Department of Justice attempted to identify government whistleblowers by searching the phone and email records of journalists from major media outlets such as the Washington Post, CNN, and the New York Times (NYT). This investigation continued into the Biden administration until 2022, when then-Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered federal prosecutors to halt the investigation, bringing it to an end.