The US Justice Department said it would withdraw subpoenas seeking testimony and records from New York Times journalists over reporting on President Trump’s Qatar-gifted Air Force One aircraft. The retreat followed a federal judge’s criticism of the government’s legal handling of the case, and matters because the demands had raised concerns about press freedom and the protection of confidential journalistic sources.

The investigation concerned Times reports on alleged security shortcomings in the Boeing 747, including features said to be absent compared with the existing presidential aircraft. Three reporters were subpoenaed, while prosecutors had also sought phone records connected to journalists and some relatives; the department said the wider investigation remains ongoing.