'William Barr was truly out of control': Legal experts stunned by Trump's DOJ spying on Democrats

Legal experts blasted the Trump-era Department of Justice after a bombshell report on the department spying on Democrats in Congress.

"As the Justice Department investigated who was behind leaks of classified information early in the Trump administration, it took a highly unusual step: Prosecutors subpoenaed Apple for data from the accounts of at least two Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee, aides and family members. One was a minor," The New York Times reported Thursday. "All told, the records of at least a dozen people tied to the committee were seized in 2017 and early 2018, including those of Representative Adam B. Schiff of California, then the panel's top Democrat and now its chairman, according to committee officials and two other people briefed on the inquiry."

"Prosecutors, under the beleaguered attorney general, Jeff Sessions, were hunting for the sources behind news media reports about contacts between Trump associates and Russia. Ultimately, the data and other evidence did not tie the committee to the leaks, and investigators debated whether they had hit a dead end and some even discussed closing the inquiry," the newspaper reported. "But William P. Barr revived languishing leak investigations after he became attorney general a year later. He moved a trusted prosecutor from New Jersey with little relevant experience to the main Justice Department to work on the Schiff-related case and about a half-dozen others, according to three people with knowledge of his work who did not want to be identified discussing federal investigations."

Legal experts were shocked by the scandal. Here's some of what they were saying:

Lawyer Ted Boustrous:

Former U.S. Attorney Joyce White:

Former federal prosecutor Katie Phang:

Former House Judiciary Committee special counsel Norm Eisen:

Former DOJ spokesperson Matt Miller:

University of Texas Law Prof. Steve Vladeck:

Former federal prosecutor Shanlon Wu:

Former federal prosecutor Elie Honig: