Justice Dept. Seizes Times Reporter's Email and Phone Records in Leak Investigation

[herding cats]

Source: NYT

WASHINGTON — Federal law enforcement officials secretly seized years’ worth of a New York Times reporter’s phone and email records this year in an investigation of classified information leaks. It was the first known instance of the Justice Department going after a reporter’s data under President Trump.

The seizure — disclosed in a letter to the reporter, Ali Watkins — suggested that prosecutors under the Trump administration will continue the aggressive tactics employed under President Barack Obama.

Mr. Trump has complained bitterly about leaks and demanded that law enforcement officials seek criminal charges against government officials involved in illegal and sometimes embarrassing disclosures of national security secrets.

News media advocates consider the idea of mining a journalist’s records for sources to be an intrusion on First Amendment freedoms, and prosecutors acknowledge it is one of the most delicate steps the Justice Department can take. “Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy, and communications between journalists and their sources demand protection,” said Eileen Murphy, a Times spokeswoman.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/us/politics/times-reporter-phone-records-seized.html#click=https://t.co/LZedWVrjvq

[Honeycombe8]

1. I don't recall hearing that the DOJ did this during the Obama admin. AND

Obama didn't make demands to the DOJ, that I'm aware of. The DOJ operated pretty much separately, like continuing going after marijuana retailers even tho the Obama admin. didn't have that policy.

Is it possible this happened under Obama? Wouldn't the Repubs have screamed about it?

[herding cats]

3. I think they did but then Holder put new rules in place to change that.

That's if I recall correctly.

[Honeycombe8]

8. I see. Thanks. nt

[GP6971]

2. Rachel is covering it now

Wonder who it is.

[herding cats]

4. The reporter?

It's Ali Watkins. She was employed by Buzzfeed and Politico during the timeframe in which the seized records fall under.

My first thought was the Russian dossier, but I've no idea if she was involved in that to he honest.

[GP6971]

6. Thanks!! n/t

[babylonsister]

5. "...continue the aggressive tactics employed under President Barack Obama."

Really? Propaganda.

[herding cats]

7. I believe it ignores that rules were later changed by Holder to prevent such.

I can't recall the exact details, but I think it was a big name like Reuters or the AP and rules were later changed to give added protections to reporters.

I'm getting forgetful, but that's at least close to the details.

[laserhaas]

9. What the frigging Fruk!

Link to tweet

.

[Solly Mack]

10. ...

Yes, it did happen under Obama but the rules got changed to limit access (after it happened) by Holder.

May, 2013

Phone Records of Journalists Seized by U.S.

May, 2013

Under sweeping subpoenas, Justice Department obtained AP phone records in leak investigation

May, 2013

Justice Department seizure of phone records an unprecedented intrusion

May, 2013

Justice Dept. Defends Seizure of Phone Records

July, 2013

Holder Tightens Rules on Getting Reporters’ Data


Feb, 2014

Attorney General Signs New Rules to Limit Access to Journalists’ Records

[Stonepounder]

11. Did they seize reporter's notes and phone records in "The Pentagon Papers"?

So it begins - the first shot to destroy freedom of the press.

[Chickensoup]

12. You ain't seen nothing yet.

[JohnnyRingo]

13. "Top secret" is anything embarrassing to Trump.

Let's face it, the NYT could publish nuclear submarine locations as long as they add that Trump is a military genius.

[MarcA]

14. Or claim it was published out of a truly religious belief n/t

[Duppers]

15. K & R for importance of this.