A spokesperson for the agency said it was likely legal. I don’t see how.
The section at issue as cited in the warrant is 18 USC 2721. See sections (b)(1)-(14).
I frequently have to certify to that list of uses for certain research associated with law practice. I know the two options I’ve ever used. Looking through the list, I don’t see one that applies to journalist.
Also, the newspaper admitted to police it accessed the records improperly, and implied ones of its employees impersonated the subject of the records.
It wasn’t about a driving record. It was tax documents if memory serves, from the Department of Treasury.