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// DOSSIER — doj-subpoena-nyt-freelancer-north-korea-leak
DOJ Subpoenas NYT Freelancer Matthew Cole Over North Korea Military Leak Probe
REL_TIME: 03 Aug 2026 05:27Z · LANG: EN
The U.S. Department of Justice has subpoenaed freelance journalist Matthew Cole as part of a criminal investigation into the sources of a 2025 New York Times report. The report detailed a failed 2019 Navy SEAL mission in North Korea that allegedly resulted in the deaths of unarmed civilians. Prosecutors in Virginia are seeking over two years of Cole's reporting notes and his testimony. The New York Times has condemned the move as an illegal attack on press freedom, while the DOJ maintains it will use all legal tools to identify those who disclose classified national defense information. This action follows a pattern of the administration targeting journalists to identify government leakers.
// Background
The 2025 story co-authored by Matthew Cole alleged that during 2019 denuclearization talks, SEAL Team 6 members killed 2-3 North Korean civilians after being spotted during a covert mission to plant listening devices near the coast. The mission, reportedly dubbed 'wiretapping Kim Jong-un,' was described as a failure that the government sought to keep confidential.
// Key Developments
- DOJ seeks two years of reporting notes and testimony from freelancer Matthew Cole.
- The investigation targets the sourcing of a story alleging Navy SEALs killed North Korean civilians during a 2019 mission.
- The New York Times is funding Cole's legal defense and criticizing the administration's escalating attacks on the press.
- The subpoena was originally under seal before Cole and the NYT chose to disclose it publicly.
- The move follows similar recent DOJ actions against journalists from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.
// Timeline
-
U.S. Navy SEALs conduct a failed covert mission in North Korea.
-
The New York Times publishes a report on the botched operation citing two dozen unnamed sources.
-
Virginia prosecutors issue a subpoena to Matthew Cole, which remains under seal.
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DOJ withdraws subpoenas for three other NYT reporters in a separate case following judicial criticism.
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The New York Times confirms Cole is disclosing the existence of the North Korea-related subpoena.
// Perspectives
[U.S. Department of Justice]
Asserts the necessity of using all legal tools to identify and prosecute individuals who unlawfully disclose classified national defense information.
[The New York Times]
Views the subpoena as a brazen and illegal attack on the First Amendment designed to deny the public vital information.
[Federal Judiciary (Judge Subramanian)]
Critical of the government's 'sloppy legal work' and failure to exhaust non-press avenues before subpoenaing journalists.
// Quotes
“We support Matthew Cole’s decision to make public a subpoena that the government has attempted to keep secret.”
“Subpoenas are not the first thing you do; they are the last thing you do.”
“He will not be intimidated by efforts to suppress information that the administration considers unflattering.”
