BehindWings1784149204

A story about Air Force One has now turned into a press freedom battle.

The U.S. Department of Justice has subpoenaed four New York Times reporters after they reported that President Trump’s new Qatari-gifted Air Force One allegedly lacked some key defensive systems when it entered service.

The article claimed the Secret Service recommended using the older Air Force One for a flight from Turkey during heightened tensions with Iran because the new jet was still missing capabilities such as missile-defense equipment.

President Trump strongly denied that security was the reason, saying he chose the older aircraft simply so U.S. troops could see the new jet.

Now the DOJ wants the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury as part of an investigation into who leaked the information.

Officials say the journalists are not the targets of the investigation, but media organizations warn the move could have a chilling effect on reporters and confidential sources.

The controversy also shines a spotlight on the new presidential aircraft itself.

Although the Boeing 747 entered service only last week after a reported $400 million retrofit, questions remain over whether all of its defensive systems are fully operational.

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