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April 26, 2025 – USA –
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has stepped into the spotlight to defend the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) controversial decision to subpoena journalists as part of a probe into leaked information related to Donald Trump. Acting as the public face of the former president’s legal team, Bondi justified the department’s actions as necessary to address what she called a “national security matter,” despite widespread criticism from press freedom advocates.
The issue stems from a DOJ investigation into media leaks concerning classified documents allegedly found at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The subpoenas, which demanded communications from journalists, have drawn sharp condemnation for what many see as a threat to press freedom. However, Bondi has dismissed those concerns, stating that the DOJ is targeting the source of the leak rather than trying to punish the media.
Bondi emphasized that the department is focused on uncovering who within the government may have shared sensitive information illegally, framing it as a legitimate law enforcement effort rather than an attack on the press. She criticized the media for painting the move as politically motivated or a tool of Trump’s revenge campaign. According to Bondi, the DOJ had to act to protect national security, regardless of the political optics.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has not publicly addressed Bondi’s comments in depth but is facing pressure from press advocates and lawmakers alike. The subpoenas have ignited debates about the balance between national security and the First Amendment, with critics accusing the DOJ of sending a chilling message to journalists and whistleblowers.
Journalist advocacy groups have voiced alarm, saying this could set a dangerous precedent if the government is allowed to monitor or intimidate reporters under the pretext of national security. Others argue that if a crime involving classified materials occurred, the DOJ has the legal right to investigate all potential leads, including media contacts.
As political tensions rise, the case underscores the increasingly fraught relationship between Trump’s allies, the media, and federal institutions in the post-presidency era.
Reference –
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/25/pam-bondi-journalists-subpoenas
https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/bondi-doj-garland-subpoena-journalists
