Trump-Era DOJ Bypassed Data Seizures Rules, Watchdog Says [Video]

A new Department of Justice watchdog report has revealed that federal prosecutors under the first Trump administration bypassed key internal guidelines when seizing phone records of journalists and congressional staff as part of media leak investigations.

The report by the DOJ’s inspector general, Michael Horowitz, released Tuesday, highlights sweeping data seizures targeting two Democratic lawmakers, Representatives Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, and 43 congressional staffers.

Among the individuals whose records were obtained was Kash Patel, then a House Intelligence Committee staffer and now President-elect Donald Trump‘s pick for FBI director.

Patel has spoken of his desire to “come after” members of the media and his belief that the federal government should be rid of “conspirators” against Trump.

Findings Highlight Risks to Press Freedom

Prosecutors collected phone records and text …