local
Justice Department withdraws subpoenas that sought reporters' grand jury testimony, sources say
By AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· June 23, 2026
· 4 min read
The Justice Department issued and then withdrew subpoenas that sought to compel reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to testify before a grand jury, according to people familiar with the matter.The Washington Post confirmed that one of its reporters received a subpoena fro...
Key takeaway Journalists at The Wall Street Journal also received grand jury subpoenas, according to people familiar with the matter, a rare and unusual move that critics said was a threat against press freedom.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The Justice Department's decision to withdraw subpoenas seeking grand jury testimony from reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal has implications for Nashville 's own journalism community. Local reporters and news outlets often cover stories that intersect with national security and government investigations, and the threat of being compelled to testify before a grand jury could have a chilling effect on their ability to report on these topics. The fact that the subpoenas were withdrawn suggests that the government may be reevaluating its approach to media leak investigations, but the initial decision to issue them raises concerns about press freedom in Nashville and beyond. As the city's journalists continue to cover stories that may involve sensitive information, they will be watching to see how the Justice Department proceeds in similar cases, and whether their own rights to report on important issues will be protected.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville 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 NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Justice Department issued and then withdrew subpoenas that sought to compel reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to testify before a grand jury, according to people familiar with the matter.The Washington Post confirmed that one of its reporters received a subpoena fro...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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