Key facts
- The Justice Department withdrew subpoenas for reporters' grand jury testimony.
- Reporters from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal were targeted by the subpoenas.
- Press freedom advocates and media organizations criticized the subpoenas.
- A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit against Maryland.
- The lawsuit sought detailed voter records from Maryland.
- This is the ninth state where similar Justice Department legal attempts have failed.
- The department sought voter data including dates of birth, addresses, and partial Social Security numbers.
The Justice Department has withdrawn subpoenas that had compelled reporters from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to testify before a grand jury. This decision follows widespread criticism from press freedom advocates and various media organizations who argued the subpoenas infringed upon journalistic protections. The department's initial actions had raised concerns about government overreach and its potential impact on investigative journalism.
In a separate legal setback for the Justice Department, a federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against the state of Maryland. The lawsuit sought detailed voter records, including dates of birth, addresses, and partial Social Security numbers. This dismissal represents the ninth instance where the department's legal efforts to obtain such voter data from states have failed. The department's pursuit of this information has been met with resistance in multiple jurisdictions, with states citing privacy concerns and the potential for misuse of sensitive personal data.