Watchdog Uncovers Secret DOJ Record Seizures of Lawmakers and Journalists Under Trump

A report by the DOJ's Inspector General reveals that the Trump administration secretly obtained phone and text logs of 43 congressional staffers and two members of Congress in 2017-2018, as part of a leak investigation. The DOJ's actions, which included gag orders to prevent notification of the seizures, were not politically motivated but failed to respect the constitutional separation of powers. The report also criticized the DOJ for violating its own policies in obtaining reporters' records. The investigations did not lead to criminal charges, and the revelations have raised concerns about potential overreach and the impact on congressional oversight.