'A low move in a free country': WSJ editorial board rips Trump for targeting press
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during the opening of a temporary migrant detention center informally known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in Ochopee, Florida, U.S., July 1, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
The Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board says President Donald Trump is using his government to intimidate news outlets that publish stories he doesn’t like.
“It’s a low move in a free country with a free press,” writes the Board. “On Tuesday … Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested CNN might be prosecuted for publishing a report about an app called ICEBlock, which lets users flag locations where they’ve spotted operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.”
“We’re working with the Department of Justice to see if we can prosecute them for that, because what they’re doing is actively encouraging people to avoid law enforcement activities, operations,” Noem told reporters. “What they’re doing, we believe, is illegal.”
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“And they may be prosecuted, also, for having given false reports on the attack in Iran,” Trump added, apparently still insisting that he had “obliterated” nuclear sites despite CNN publishing government reports showing his claim to be overblown.
But publishing news of the existence of an app is not illegal, says the Journal. Traffic apps like Waze and Google Maps warn drivers when other users have flagged police activity or speed traps. ICEBlock isn’t owned or operated by CNN. Likewise, supplementing initial government claims with more accurate follow-up reports isn’t illegal.
“It’s journalism protected by the First Amendment. Whoever gave CNN the DIA’s conclusions might face repercussions, though finding government leakers isn’t easy,” the Board reports.
This is not to say Trump is not already considering jailing journalists over confidential sources.
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“If they wanted, they could find out easily. You go up and tell the reporter, ‘National security. Who gave [you information]?’ And I suspect we’ll be doing things like that,” Trump told Fox News
The Journal also slammed Paramount’s recent agreement to pay Trump $16 million to settle the president’s “meritless lawsuit” accusing CBS of distorting a campaign interview last year with Kamala Harris. The full tape proved CBS didn’t put words in her mouth — but, again, Trump’s leverage over Paramount is his government, which gets to approve the company’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
“Apparently Paramount executives decided that paying eight figures to Mr. Trump was better than risking the deal,” reports the Journal. “… CBS viewers and journalists might like an apology for this sellout."
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Democrats are already calling the payout a bribe, and are eager to investigate claims of extortion.
“Paramount just paid Trump a bribe for merger approval,” Sen. Ron Wyden posted on Bluesky. “When Democrats retake power, I’ll be first in line calling for federal charges.”
It’ll be “two grim years of partisan trench warfare on whether this technically counts as bribery, thanks to Mr. Trump,” says the Journal, just so he can shout “fake news.”
See the full Wall Street Journal report at this link.
