Trump Justice Department reportedly subpoenaed records of Trump's White House counsel in 2018


The Justice Department was apparently quite busy issuing controversial subpoenas in February 2018, secretly seeking phone and email records of journalists, members of Congress and their staff, and — several news organizations reported Sunday — the president's own White House counsel, Don McGahn. Apple informed McGahn and his wife last month that it had complied with a Feb. 23, 2018, subpoena for information about accounts that belong to them, The New Your Times first reported. The company did not tell them what information it turned over to the Justice Department and said it was barred from informing them earlier.
The Times and The Associated Press called the DOJ's decision to secretly seize a sitting White House counsel's data "extraordinary," while The Washington Post called it "striking." But the news organizations could only speculate as to why the Trump administration wanted McGahn's records.
The three most likely scenarios, the Times says, are that the DOJ was investigating who told the Times and Post that Trump had ordered McGahn to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, prompting McGahn to threaten to resign; that Mueller's grand jury in Virginia has subpoenaed McGahn's records as part of the investigation of Trump's campaign and Russia; or that the McGahn subpoena was part of an aggressive investigation of leaks about the Russia investigations.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
McGahn, the top lawyer for Trump's 2016 campaign, cooperated extensively with Mueller's investigation, and the leak about firing Mueller didn't involve national security, making it questionable a judge would sign off on secret subpoenas. The Justice Department did order Apple on Feb. 6, 2018, to turn over information on 73 phone numbers and 33 email addresses, including records for at least 12 people connected to the House Intelligence Committee, Apple says.
McGahn's records may have been swept up in Justice Department subpoenas to identify phone numbers and email account information of people who were in contact with the subject of an investigation.
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz said Friday he will investigate the Trump administration's use of subpoenas and "other legal authorities" to obtain leak information from the media and government officials. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Sunday threatened to compel testimony, if necessary, from top Justice Department national security official John Demers, who Trump appointed in February 2018 and is still serving until President Biden's nominee is confirmed.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Is this the end of the late-night chat show?
Talking Point Totems of US media landscape 'seem like relics of a bygone era' as ad revenues plummet and viewers switch to YouTube, TikTok and podcasts
-
Keep the fun going with these 7 subscription gift boxes
The Week Recommends Bring the party to their mailbox
-
Babies born using 3 people's DNA are without hereditary disease
Under the radar The method could eliminate mutations for future generations
-
Deportations: The growing backlash
Feature New poll numbers show declining support for Trump's deportation crackdown
-
Is Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' cancellation an omen of something worse?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION CBS said its decision to end the talk show was strictly business. But the timing and nature of the announcement has some observers wondering if there's more at play behind the scenes.
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Citizenship: Trump order blocked again
Feature After the Supreme Court restricted nationwide injunctions, a federal judge turned to a class action suit to block Trump's order to end birthright citizenship
-
Epstein: Why MAGA won't move on
Feature Trump's supporters are turning on him after he denied the existence of Epstein's client list
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
Trump officials who hold more than one job
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Wearing multiple hats has become the norm inside a White House known for a revolving door of functionaries and officials
-
Elon Musk's America Party: a billionaire's folly?
Talking Point One-time Trump ally has acquired a taste for political power and clearly wants more of it