Border Patrol Seizes Journalist's Phones, Sparking Legal Battle Over Press Freedom
Max Blumenthal, a journalist and founder of the independent outlet the Grayzone, was subjected to a 'secondary inspection' by border patrol agents at Virginia's Dulles airport upon returning from Iran. During this inspection, agents seized his two cellphones after he refused to provide passwords, although they did not take his laptop or digital cameras. The phones were returned a week later following an emergency court motion by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. The federal government claimed they could not access the phones, rendering the motion moot. However, Blumenthal pursued further legal action, resulting in a federal judge ordering the government to provide evidence of what was done with the phones. This incident has raised concerns among press freedom advocates about the Trump administration's targeting of journalists. 
