Justice Department Subpoenas New York Times Freelancer Over North Korea Story
The U.S. Justice Department has issued a subpoena to Matthew Cole, a freelance journalist for the New York Times, as part of an investigation into the sourcing of a 2025 article about a failed U.S. military operation in North Korea. The subpoena, issued by Virginia prosecutors in February, demands over two years' worth of Cole's notes and his testimony. The New York Times is providing legal support to Cole, who has publicly disclosed the subpoena. The article in question, co-authored by Cole, reported on a 2019 mission by Navy SEALs that resulted in the deaths of several unarmed North Koreans. The Justice Department has not commented specifically on Cole's case but emphasized its commitment to using legal means to identify those who unlawfully disclose national defense information. 
