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CBP apologizes after agent questions BuzzFeed reporter about Trump coverage

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Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apologized Tuesday after an immigration agent questioned a reporter from BuzzFeed about the outlet’s coverage of President Trump.

“On behalf of the agency, I would like to extend our apologies to Mr. David Mack for the inappropriate remarks made to him during his CBP processing upon his arrival to the United States,” CBP Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs Andrew Meehan said in a statement to BuzzFeed News.

“The officer’s comments do not reflect CBP’s commitment to integrity and professionalism of its workforce. In response to this incident, CBP immediately reviewed the event and has initiated the appropriate personnel inquiry and action.”

{mosads}Mack was questioned by an officer when he landed at JFK Airport on Sunday about BuzzFeed’s story that Trump had instructed his former lawyer Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. 

The White House strongly denied the report, which cited federal investigator sources. Special counsel Robert Mueller’s office also issued a rare statement disputing the BuzzFeed report. 

“The immigration agent at JFK just saw that i work for buzzfeed and just grilled me for 10 minutes about the cohen story which was fun given he gets to decide whether to let me back into the country,” Mack wrote on Twitter at the time.

CBP agents are supposed to ask questions about citizenship, the nature of the trip and any items brought back to the country when international travelers enter the U.S., according to BuzzFeed.

BuzzFeed released a statement thanking CBP for their apology.

“We appreciate the government’s prompt response and apology for this unfortunate incident,” BuzzFeed News spokesperson Matt Mittenthal said. “Customs agents do not get to weaponize their political opinions against residents legally entering the United States.”

Tags Donald Trump Robert Mueller

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