AG Bondi Memo Rescinding Reporter Subpoena Protections Enables DOJ to Seize Source Records

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo on April 25 rescinding Obama- and Biden-era policies that had protected journalists from federal subpoenas and seizure of source materials. The new policy allows DOJ prosecutors to subpoena reporters, compel testimony about confidential sources, and seize communications records without the extensive internal review that previously applied, weakening First Amendment press freedom protections.