Do anons think this seizure is curious timing, DOJ pursuing something from 2017. This smells like Durham

The Justice Department under former President Donald Trump seized phone records from at least three Washington Post journalists, according to the newspaper.

The revelation prompted the news outlet to demand an explanation for the "intrusion" that raises serious First Amendment issues, to which the agency, now under the Biden administration, indicated was meant to crack down on leaks of classified information.

Three separate letters dated Monday addressed to Ellen Nakashima, Greg Miller, and Adam Entous notified them that the department "received toll records associated with the following telephone numbers for the period from April 15, 2017 to July 31, 2017" through use of subpoena power, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

The letters showed cellphone and work phone numbers tied to the reporters. The phone records show caller history and how long calls lasted but did not contain what was said. The letters also said the Justice Department got a court order to obtain their email records but did not get them.

The Friday report notes that during the targeted time period was when the journalists were reporting on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Nakashima and Miller still report for the outlet, while Entous has moved on to the New Yorker.

"We are deeply troubled by this use of government power to seek access to the communications of journalists," said Cameron Barr, the Washington Post's acting executive editor. "The Department of Justice should immediately make clear its reasons for this intrusion into the activities of reporters doing their jobs, an activity protected under the First Amendment.

In response to the revelations, the Justice Department generally described the process by which it would seek such records for a criminal leaks investigation.