Investigation of journalists by Customs unit is under review

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The review is focused on activities of the Counter Network Division, which under the administration of former President Donald Trump used the databases to investigate leaks to the media and to screen journalists as potential sources of information, as was detailed in a report by Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General. The AP obtained a redacted copy of the inspector general report, which referred possible criminal charges for misusing government databases and lying to investigators to the Justice Department for a Border Patrol agent on temporary assignment with the Counter Network Division and two other Homeland Security employees. The inspector general report was sparked after The Washington Post exposed Rambo and a leak investigation involving reporter Ali Watkins, who was with Politico at the time and now writes for The New York Times. In the course of its investigation, the inspector general found that the Customs unit was using its vast databases to investigate others as well, including Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington and AP investigative reporter Martha Mendoza Rambo said he conducted CBP record checks on “15 to 20 national security reporters,” according to a FBI summary of the questioning that was contained in the inspector general’s report.