US subpoenas NYT freelancer over North Korea Navy Seals story

A spokesperson for the Justice Department did not address Cole's specific case, but said that the DOJ, "will use all available legal tools to uncover those who unlawfully disclose national defense information."

Stadtlander called the subpoena of Cole, "another brazen and illegal attack from the administration designed to deny the public information of vital importance.” The New York Times article said the newspaper is paying for Cole's legal representation.

Cole's reporting, "helps the public understand what the government is doing in its name," said his attorney, David A. O'Neil. "He will not be intimidated by efforts to suppress information that the administration considers unflattering," O'Neil said.

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Sergio Non, Alistair Bell and Mark Porter)