Homeland Security official reassigned after intelligence reports on journalists covering protests
A US intelligence official with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been reassigned following revelations that his office compiled "intelligence reports" on journalists and analysed communications between protesters amid ongoing demonstrations in Portland, Oregon.
Brian Murphy was removed from his post following a report in The Washington Post revealing that the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis sent open source intelligence reports to federal law enforcement agencies containing information from two reporters who had published leaked unclassified government documents while covering Black Lives Matter protests.
Acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf directed the office to "immediately discontinue collecting information involving members of the press" after learning about the reports, according to a 31 July statement from spokesman Alexei Woltornist.
"In no way does the acting secretary condone this practise and he has immediately ordered an inquiry into the matter," he said. "The acting secretary is committed to ensuring that all DHS personnel uphold the principles of professionalism, impartiality and respect for civil rights and civil liberties, particularly as it relates to the exercise of First Amendment rights.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/homeland-security-official-reassigned-intelligence-143414271.html
