US Justice Department subpoenas NYT freelancer over 2019 North Korea Navy SEAL mission story

The US Justice Department issued a subpoena in February 2026 to New York Times freelance journalist Matthew Cole related to his 2025 article detailing a failed 2019 US Navy SEAL mission near North Korea's coast ^{[1, 2, 3]}. The subpoena demands Cole provide more than two years’ worth of notes plus his testimony ^{[1, 2, 3]}.

Cole's 2025 story revealed how Navy SEALs killed several unarmed North Koreans during a covert operation to plant a listening device off the North Korean coastline in early 2019 ^{[1, 2, 3]}. The report relied on around two dozen unnamed sources and exposed sensitive details of the secret mission ^{[1, 2]}.

The subpoena was reportedly delivered by FBI agents to Cole’s New York home but was handed to his lawyer after Cole was absent ^[3]. The New York Times is providing legal representation for Cole as he challenges the subpoena ^{[1, 2, 3]}.

NYT spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander called the subpoena a "brazen and illegal attack from the administration designed to deny the public information of vital importance." He said the demand for Cole to disclose sources was "part of the government’s escalating attacks on journalists" ^{[1, 3]}. Cole's attorney David A. O’Neil said his client "will not be intimidated by efforts to suppress information that the administration considers unflattering." He added, "Cole will defend press freedom and the First Amendment from this administration’s brazen attacks on journalists, and he will honor his commitment to his sources." ^{[2, 3]}

The Department of Justice declined to comment directly on Cole’s case but stated it would use legal tools to prevent unlawful leaks of national defense information ^[2]. The subpoenas come amid an ongoing pattern of aggressive legal actions targeting journalists over government leaks under the current administration ^[3].

On August 1, 2026, the New York Times and other outlets publicly reported the subpoena against Cole, bringing the issue into the spotlight ^{[1, 2, 3]}. Legal proceedings and challenges over the subpoena’s scope and demands are expected to follow.