In a stark shift from previous policies, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's Department of Justice prepares to implement measures allowing the arrest of journalists who publish leaked government information.
According to Alternet, the controversial move follows President Trump's Truth Social post demanding investigations into major news outlets like the New York Times, ABC News, and the Washington Post for alleged election fraud, prompted by his dissatisfaction with recent poll numbers.
The policy change represents a complete reversal of media protections established during the Biden administration. ABC News first revealed the DOJ's internal memo that eliminates restrictions on prosecutors seeking reporters' records in criminal investigations, marking a significant departure from previous safeguards for press freedom.
The timing of this policy shift coincides with mounting tensions between the administration and news media. Trump's Monday morning post specifically targeted major news organizations, accusing them of election fraud amid declining approval ratings.
Amherst College professor Austin Sarat, an expert in jurisprudence and political science, warns of the serious implications this policy change carries for press freedom. He emphasizes that while no American journalists are currently imprisoned for their work, the new policy creates a concerning framework for potential prosecution.
The DOJ's approach under Bondi stands in sharp contrast to former Attorney General Merrick Garland's stance on press freedom. Where Garland implemented protections for journalists, Bondi's policy actively seeks to restrict their ability to report on government activities.
Bondi's internal memo outlines an aggressive approach toward journalists who publish leaked information. The attorney general has positioned herself as the key decision-maker in approving journalist arrests and questioning.
According to Sarat's analysis, Bondi specifically criticizes media outlets for publishing material that she claims undermines Trump's policies and harms government agencies. The new policy gives the administration unprecedented power to target journalists who report on leaked information.
Professor Sarat reveals that the attorney general's memo specifically targets news media that publishes information deemed harmful to Trump's agenda:
While no journalists are presently in jail in this country for doing their jobs, prosecuting and punishing them is a regular part of the arsenal of repressive regimes around the world. And the atmosphere for the American press is by no means friendly. April alone saw a dramatic escalation of threats.
The policy change signals a fundamental shift in how the federal government approaches press freedom. Legal experts warn this could create a chilling effect on investigative journalism and whistleblower protection.
The DOJ's new stance effectively criminalizes standard journalistic practices of reporting on leaked government information. This represents an unprecedented expansion of executive power over the press.
Bondi's memo gives her direct authority over journalist arrests, as evidenced by this statement from Sarat:
Calling such activity Illegal and immoral, the attorney general said she would be personally responsible for approving 'efforts to question or arrest members of the news media.' There you have it. Journalists are put on notice that if they publish leaked material that 'undermine(s) President Trump's policies,' they may be arrested.
The Trump administration's Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi has rescinded Biden-era protections for journalists, creating a framework to potentially arrest reporters who publish leaked government information. This policy shift follows President Trump's social media post calling for investigations into major news outlets over their coverage and polling data, marking a significant escalation in the administration's approach to press relations. The new policy gives Bondi direct authority to approve journalist arrests, particularly targeting those who publish information deemed harmful to Trump's agenda.
