Newsweek reports that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent that was processing people entering Los Angeles International Airport accosted British journalist James Dyer and accused him of being part of the "fake news media."
"Just went through LAX immigration. Presented my journalist visa and was stopped by the CBP agent and accused of being part of the 'fake news media'" Dyer tweeted.
"He wanted to know if I'd ever worked for CNN or MSNBC or other outlets that are 'spreading lies to the American people,'" he continued. "He aggressively told me that journalists are liars and are attacking their democracy."
CBP spokesperson Jaime Ruiz confirmed that the incident happened. According to Dyer, CBP officials urged him to file a formal complaint, but he doesn't want to do so, stating that — although he believes the agent was out of line — he doesn't want the agent to suffer for it.
"Perhaps just CBP could better communicate what is and isn't appropriate to border personnel. I respect his right to hold whatever views he wishes."
President Donald Trump often uses the term "fake news" to describe journalism that is critical of him. Per The Inquisitr, he recently lashed out at a reporter with the term after they asked him about his decision to call himself the "chosen one" when speaking about the U.S. trade war with China.
"You know exactly what I meant," Trump said, adding that the remark was sarcasm and it was said in good fun. He then said that the question was "fake news."
