Pam Bondi Nukes Biden-Era Media Shield Preventing Reporters from Being Subpoenaed
AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File
Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded a policy instituted by former Attorney General Merrick Garland that limited the Justice Department’s ability to secretly obtain records from journalists Friday, according to a report.
NBC News’ Ken Dilanian reported that Bondi announced a directive to roll back protections for reporters that were intended to shield them from surveillance related to leak investigations.
According to Dilanian, Bondi issued a memo that permits subpoenas, search warrants, and court orders to compel journalists or their news organizations to turn over records and/or provide testimony.
“Safeguarding classified, privileged, and other sensitive information is essential to effective governance and law enforcement,” Bondi wrote. “Federal government employees intentionally leaking sensitive information to the media undermines the ability of the Department of Justice to uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep America safe.”
Bondi further accused Garland’s policy of hindering efforts to identify and punish leakers of government information and declared, “It must stop.”
She also accused the media of bias against conservatives and claimed protections for reporters were “weaponized” under the Biden administration:
Without question, it is a bedrock principle that a free and independent press is vital to the functioning of our democracy.
[…]
However, under the Biden Administration, “elitist leaders in Government.. weaponized their undeserved influence to silence perceived political opponents and advance their preferred, and often erroneous, narrative about significant matters of public debate.” This weaponization included prosecutors trying to muzzle protected First Amendment speech criticizing the Biden Administration, including through gag orders targeting not only President Trump’ but also other criminal defendants such as Dr. Eithan Haim.
The Biden Administration also abused Garland’s overly broad procedural protections for media allies by engaging in selective leaks in support of failed lawfare campaigns.” The leaks have not abated since President Trump’s second inauguration, including leaks of classified information.
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