President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House. (Photo: AP)
US President Donald Trump Monday vowed to pursue the source that leaked the information on the second airman who went missing after F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down in Iran on April 4. He was later rescued by the US officers about “daring” operation spanning over 24 hours.
Threatening legal action against the journalists who reported on the weapons systems officer, Trump said his administration would force media organisations to disclose their sources.
The airman had ejected from the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet and spent over 24 hours hiding in mountainous terrain, treating his own wounds, before being located and rescued by US forces. Following this, Trump hailed the airman for being “incredibly brave” and also praised the team that successfully extracted him after an elaborate rescue operation.
However, the incident came to light after reports emerged that a second service member was unaccounted for following the downing of a US aircraft.
Speaking at the White House Monday, Trump said: “We’re going to go to the media company that released it, and we’re going to say, ‘national security, give it up or go to jail.'”
He argued that the report alerted Iran about the presence of the stranded airman, potentially putting the service member at greater risk.
“They didn’t know there was somebody missing until this leaker gave the information,” he added.
Trump did not name the journalist or outlet involved but said officials were confident of identifying the source of the leak.
Press freedom concerns grow
Story continues below this ad
The remarks mark a sharp escalation in Trump’s ongoing confrontations with the media during his second term, with critics warning of threats to press freedom.
Seth Stern of the Freedom of the Press Foundation defended journalists’ rights to publish leaked information, stressing constitutional protections.
“Journalists don’t work for the government and their right to publish government leaks is protected by the First Amendment… it’s up to the government to keep its secrets, not journalists,” he said.
The White House has said an investigation into the leak is under way, though no further details have been provided.
The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
Share
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House. (Photo: AP) 
