Attorney General Pam Bondi has reversed a policy from the Biden era that limited federal investigators' ability to pursue communications from media outlets during government leak investigations. This change comes amid renewed hostility from the Trump administration towards certain news organizations and a focus on prosecuting unauthorized leaks. Bondi criticized the previous administration for providing excessive protection to the media and being selective in addressing leaks. During the first Trump administration, many considered adversaries faced investigations over national security information leaks, which led to several scandals. Bondi assured that while procedural protections will still be in place, these will be used only as a last resort when essential for successful investigations or prosecutions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a reversal of protections for journalists in leak investigations, a policy previously set by the Biden administration, which had been considered a victory for press freedom.

This policy shift aligns with renewed hostility from the Trump administration towards news organizations deemed unfriendly, echoing past efforts to investigate and prosecute leaks that occurred during Trump's first term.

Bondi accused the Biden administration of providing too much protection to media outlets and permitting selective leaking, which she argues undermines government operations and national security.

The memo from Bondi emphasizes the importance of safeguarding classified and sensitive information, asserting that unauthorized disclosures can harm government agencies and the American public.

The previous approach under Attorney General Merrick Garland had involved secretive seizures of journalists' communications and gag orders, which were criticized for undermining press freedom, but Bondi's memo indicates that while procedural protections remain, they are now seen as extraordinary measures.

During the initial Trump administration, investigations into perceived enemies over national security leaks led to scandals, highlighting the administration's aggressive stance on controlling information leaks.

Bondi's memo reassures that federal law enforcement will continue to employ procedural protections, but emphasizes that these are to be used only as a last resort when essential to investigations or prosecutions.