DOJ withdraws subpoenas for Washington Post, WSJ reporters

The Justice Department has withdrawn subpoenas that sought to compel reporters from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to testify before a federal grand jury, according to people familiar with the matter. The subpoenas, which were issued earlier this year and withdrawn earlier this month, represent an unusually aggressive tactic in leak investigations targeting journalists.

The Washington Post confirmed that a subpoena issued to its national security reporter, Ellen Nakashima, was withdrawn. People familiar with the matter also confirmed that subpoenas issued to three Wall Street Journal reporters were rescinded. None of the journalists testified. The news organizations had challenged the subpoenas in sealed proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Justice Department withdrew the demands before a judge ruled on motions to quash them.

A spokesperson for The Washington Post condemned the action, calling the subpoena to Nakashima a clear violation of constitutionally guaranteed press freedom and a sign of the government seeking to compel journalists to become instruments of its investigations. The Post stated it would...