Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the reversal of a Biden-era policy that restricted the Department of Justice (DOJ) from obtaining testimony and records from members of the news media during criminal investigations.
The move, outlined in a memo first reported by Axios, marks a significant shift in how the DOJ will approach cases involving leaks and unauthorized disclosures.
Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded Biden-era Justice Department policies that largely shielded journalists’ records from federal investigators on Friday, signaling a more aggressive approach toward leak prosecutions under President Donald Trump, Politico reported.
The Trump… pic.twitter.com/dtGqjefLHA— Karli Bonne’
(@KarluskaP) April 26, 2025
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“I have concluded that it is necessary to rescind Merrick Garland’s policies precluding the Department of Justice from seeking records and compelling testimony from members of the news media in order to identify and punish the source of improper leaks,” Bondi stated in the memo.
Bondi emphasized that targeting journalists would not become a routine practice, describing it as “an extraordinary measure to be deployed as a last resort when essential to a successful investigation or prosecution.”
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The previous policy, implemented under former Attorney General Merrick Garland, placed strict limits on DOJ efforts to obtain information from reporters engaged in news gathering.
Prosecutors were largely prohibited from compelling reporters to reveal sources or provide information, except under rare circumstances.
Bondi criticized the former policy, labeling it “illegal and wrong,” and argued that it weakened the Justice Department’s ability to address the unauthorized leaking of classified or sensitive information.
She cited concerns that government officials were using “media allies” to leak insider information for personal or political gain, undermining national security efforts.
“The leaks have not abated since President Trump’s second inauguration,” Bondi wrote, adding that the protections instituted during the Biden-Harris administration were preventing the DOJ from properly investigating and addressing breaches of classified information.
The change in policy comes as the administration intensifies efforts to pursue individuals accused of leaking government secrets.
In recent weeks, several top Pentagon advisors were dismissed following allegations they leaked information to the media.
Pam Bondi is pissed. Someone from the FBI leaked information on an immigration raid in Los Angeles. Heads will roll. pic.twitter.com/U6BGAbiHf3
— A Man Of Memes (@RickyDoggin) February 11, 2025
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also referred two intelligence officials to the DOJ for prosecution after they were allegedly caught leaking classified material.
Gabbard indicated that a third referral was forthcoming, accusing another intelligence community insider of leaking information to outlets including The Washington Post and The New York Times.
“Politicization of our intelligence and leaking classified information puts our nation’s security at risk and must end,” Gabbard said.
“Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Bondi’s move has drawn criticism from some press advocates.
Bruce D. Brown, president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, expressed concern to Fox News about the potential impact on press freedom.
“We’ll wait to see what the policy looks like, but we know reporters will still do their jobs, and there is no shortage of legal support to back them up,” Brown said.
Meanwhile, Bondi’s Department of Justice is also handling other high-profile cases.
Bondi recently announced plans to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, who is accused of assassination.
Defense attorneys for Mangione have filed court documents alleging that the pursuit of the death penalty was politically motivated, claiming that it was intended to “carry out Trump’s agenda.”
The DOJ under Bondi continues to prioritize cases involving leaks of classified information, with Gabbard’s newly created task force focusing on identifying and prosecuting unauthorized disclosures, including leaks related to Israel and Iran.
The updated DOJ policy signals a broader shift toward stricter enforcement against leaks and marks another departure from policies enacted during the Biden-Harris administration.
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