DOJ Obtaining Phone and Email Records of House Democrats and Congressional Staffers

During leak investigations, Trump's DOJ obtained phone and email records of two House Democrats and dozens of congressional staffers. DOJ failed to comply with its own procedures, did not conduct high-level review, risks chilling Congress's oversight ability, and faced scrutiny for accessing records of lawmakers and staff. No evidence of political motivation found. Justice Department faced backlash for seeking reporters' records as well. Biden and Garland banned the practice. Legal changes expected under incoming Trump administration.

Trump Justice Department's Secret Phone and Text Message Logs Investigation

The Trump Justice Department secretly obtained phone and text message logs of 43 congressional staffers and 2 members of Congress in a broad leak investigation. The DOJ violated its own policies by seizing communications records of staffers and lawmakers without political motives, but failed to consider constitutional separation of powers. The records included phone and message logs, but not the content of communications. The leak investigations did not result in criminal charges and could be reopened by the new administration.