The U.S. Justice Department's internal watchdog said on Tuesday that prosecutors' decision to subpoena phone and email records from members of Congress and their staff during President-elect Donald Trump's first term risked a chilling effect on congressional oversight.

A top government watchdog raised concerns over the handling of leak investigations during the first Trump administration that targeted members of Congress and the media.

The Justice Department failed to follow internal policy and ignored protections when seeking records from members of Congress, dozens of congressional staffers and members of the media, a watchdog found.