Attorney General Pam Bondi has revoked Justice Department regulations that restricted the government’s ability to pursue journalists’ communications and compelled testimony, particularly when they obtained sensitive—but not necessarily classified—information that could undermine President Trump’s policies. This reversal undoes reforms established in 2021 by former AG Merrick Garland, which were designed to curb excessive government overreach on press freedoms. Bondi’s guidelines raise alarms among press advocates, as they enable targeting journalists more broadly and appear to be politically motivated, especially after an article contradicted Trump’s immigration rationale. Despite asserting support for a free press, Bondi’s directive allows subpoenas after other options are exhausted, provided she approves and a judge finds probable cause. Her actions echo past administrations’ controversial practices, such as the Obama-era’s aggressive journalist record seizures and Trump’s first-term leak investigations. Recent steps include polygraph testing by federal agencies to identify leakers. While the House attempted to codify Garland’s safeguards in the bipartisan Press Act, it ultimately failed under pressure from Trump. The new policies arrive just before World Press Freedom Day, underscoring concerns about U.S. commitment to press independence. The Washington Post reaffirmed its dedication to protecting confidential sources amid growing governmental scrutiny.