Border Protection unit used terrorist database to research journalists: report

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

submissive

An anti-terrorism unit within the federal Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency investigated journalists using government databases containing personal information, according to an investigation by Yahoo News, which obtained sensitive government documents related to the secretive unit.

The Counter Network Division secretly investigated as many as 20 journalists using government databases, pulling data - including travel records and personal and financial information - about a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with the Associated Press and the founder of Huffington Post, Yahoo News reported.

In one instance, per the investigation, a CBP agent named Jeffrey Rambo pulled information about Ali Watkins, a reporter who has covered top national security issues for multiple news outlets.

Rambo collected information through government databases about Watkins' travel and relationship with James Wolfe, then the head of security for the Senate Intelligence Community, according to Yahoo News. The agent then revealed to Watkins that he knew about the affair and pressed her to reveal sources, per the outlet.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/border-protection-unit-used-terrorist-database-to-research-journalists-report/ar-AARIUUk

Is that really his name?

[Eugene]

1. AP seeks answers from US gov't on tracking of journalists

Source: Associated Press

AP seeks answers from US gov’t on tracking of journalists

By BEN FOX
December 13, 2021

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press sought answers Monday from the Department of Homeland Security on its use of sensitive government databases for tracking international terrorists to investigate as many as 20 American journalists, including an acclaimed AP reporter.

In a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, AP Executive Editor Julie Pace urged the agency to explain why the name of Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Martha Mendoza was run through the databases and identified as a potential confidential informant during the Trump administration, as detailed in a report by Homeland Security’s inspector general.

“This is a flagrant example of a federal agency using its power to examine the contacts of journalists,” Pace wrote. “While the actions detailed in the inspector general’s report occurred under a previous administration, the practices were described as routine.”

The DHS investigation of U.S. journalists, as well as congressional staff and perhaps members of Congress, which was reported by Yahoo News and AP on Saturday. It represents the latest apparent example of an agency created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks using its vast capabilities to target American citizens.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/business-arts-and-entertainment-journalists-alejandro-mayorkas-congress-e5f5531a2c4e28157dd652bad0905d8f

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. FTP. All of 'em.