U.S. President Donald Trump threatened journalists with imprisonment if they do not reveal the source of a leak regarding a missing American servicemember in Iran.
Trump Issues Prison Threat to Journalists
President Donald Trump threatened the media with jail time if they fail to disclose the source of a leak concerning an American airman missing in Iran, according to “The Washington Post.” This relates to information that became public before the completion of the rescue operation following the downing of the aircraft.
During a Monday press conference, Trump announced that the administration would seek to identify the informant, stating he would request news outlets to reveal their identity, citing national security concerns.
“You’ll reveal it or you’ll go to jail,” Trump warned.
Leak Could Have Hindered Rescue Operation, Trump Claims
The president asserted that the media’s reporting on the matter may have complicated the rescue operation, as Iran allegedly learned about the presence of the missing soldier on its territory due to press reports.
Justice Department Remains Silent
“The Washington Post” notes that the Department of Justice has not directly responded to these statements. The White House only informed that an investigation is underway.
Policy Shift on Press Access
In 2025, the department withdrew a previous policy limiting the ability to subpoena journalists to reveal sources in leak cases.
Concerns Over Press Freedom Raised
Jameel Jaffer, Executive Director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, assessed that the president’s actions raise serious concerns about press freedom. He added that journalists’ ability to do their job relies on protecting anonymous sources, and the threats should be seen as an attempt to exert pressure.
“President Trump’s threat should be understood as an attempt to intimidate the media and prevent journalists from doing the work the public needs,” Jaffer emphasized.
Reporters Without Borders Echoes Concerns
Clayton Weimers, Executive Director of Reporters Without Borders North America, presented a similar position, suggesting that such declarations should be taken seriously and are not an isolated incident.
“These aren’t just Trumpian boasts. This administration views journalism as a crime,” Weimers concluded.
Reporting by
Andrzej Dobrowolski (PAP) from New York
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