Government withdraws subpoenas of 3 reporters for The New York Times after admitting legal errors

Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Michael R. Sisak, Eric Tucker And Larry Neumeister, Associated Press, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) · July 23, 2026 · 4 min read

Criticized by a federal judge for sloppy legal work, the government on Thursday withdrew subpoenas that would have compelled three New York Times reporters to testify about their sources for articles about President Donald Trump’s Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet . The withdrawals in U.S. District...

Why this matters in The San Antonio

The government's withdrawal of subpoenas for New York Times reporters has implications for San Antonio's own journalism community, where reporters often rely on confidential sources to uncover stories about local government and public figures. The judge's stern rebuke of the government's actions serves as a reminder that protections for journalists are in place to ensure a free press, and that these protections are essential in cities like San Antonio where local news outlets play a crucial role in holding those in power accountable. The fact that the government was forced to retreat in the face of vigorous legal opposition suggests that these protections are still robust, and that journalists in San Antonio and elsewhere can continue to do their jobs without fear of being compelled to reveal their sources. This is particularly important in a city where corruption and abuse of power have been issues in the past, and where a free press is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability.

About this story

Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 23, 2026 · Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) · Reading time: 4 min

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This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.

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This story was reported by Michael R. Sisak, Eric Tucker And Larry Neumeister, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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Summary created by	The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Michael R. Sisak, Eric Tucker And Larry Neumeister, Associated Press, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 23, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 23, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Government withdraws subpoenas of 3 reporters for The New York Times after admitting legal errors

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