DHS Uses Little-Known Law to Access Journalists' Records Without Judicial Approval
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly utilized a lesser-known federal law, 19 USC 1509, to obtain phone and social media records of journalists and non-profit organizations without requiring judicial approval. This law typically pertains to customs imports and the payment of duties and taxes. Federal prosecutors initially sought warrants for the YouTube channels of former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort in February, but a judge rejected these requests due to a lack of evidence and probable cause. The judge also stipulated that the journalists should be informed of the request, which DHS subsequently withdrew. However, DHS later obtained six months of Georgia Fort’s phone records from T-Mobile and served Google with a summons under 19 USC 1509, a process that bypasses judicial oversight. The agency's actions extended beyond Lemon and Fort, targeting YouTube accounts of 'Democracy Now,' podcaster Megyn Kelly, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, and independent jour... 
