CBP Agent Faces Investigation After Questioning Reporter About Her Sources

According to the Washington Post (June 12, 2018) "The actions of a Customs and Border Protection agent who confronted a reporter covering national security issues about her confidential sources are being examined by the CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The agent, Jeffrey A. Rambo, contacted journalist Ali Watkins last June as the Trump administration was ramping up its investigations of unauthorized leaks to reporters, and he identified himself as a government agent. Rambo met with Watkins at a restaurant in Washington after initially contacting her by email. A reporter taking such a meeting with a potential source would not be unusual.

But after he arrived, Rambo said the administration was eager to investigate journalists and learn the identity of their confidential sources to stanch leaks of classified information. He questioned Watkins broadly about her reporting and how she developed information.

Rambo’s behavior was un­or­tho­dox. It’s highly unusual for government investigators to question reporters about their sources, and national security leaks are generally investigated by the FBI, not CBP, part of the Department of Homeland Security. Rambo also contacted Watkins using a personal email address and declined to provide his name."
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Investigative misconduct is a very serious and a growing problem. Investigations must be conducted within the scope of authority of the agency involved, must follow established agency policy and procedure, and must be consistent in type, scope, and method with other investigations conducted by the agency involved. When these conditions are not met, it is likely that the investigative activity is illegal.