Elsa Chang

After the break, a closer look at the most recent escalation.

From NPR, I'm Ilsa Chang.

It's Consider This from NPR.

The Department of Justice is once again at the center of the news with investigations of federal lawmakers and the chairman of the Federal Reserve and resignations by career prosecutors in Minnesota.

So we have asked NPR senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro and NPR justice correspondent Kerry Johnson to talk about what's been happening over the last week.

Hello to both of you.

Hey there.

Hi there.

Carrie, let's start with you.

It feels like we have been seeing like an escalation for the Justice Department and the Trump administration this week, like both when it comes to the tactics that this administration uses and their willingness to push the boundaries of the law.

Right.

Is this all part of some bigger goal, you think?

That's right, on the campaign trail, because as a candidate, he promised, right, to go after his enemies.

He also promised to be tough on immigration.

Domenico, how are people responding to what's been happening in Minnesota specifically?

Well, Minnesota, I mean, it's just one part of the story this week, right?

Like Democrats in Congress say that they are being investigated over a video urging military members to disregard illegal orders.

How do those investigations fit into what we've been talking about?

So maybe they're shooting themselves in the foot.

Well, there was more this week.