As the internal watchdog from the Justice Department begins an investigation into revelations that the Trump administration secretly seized phone data from at least two House Democrats, former attorneys general must be subpoenaed to testified on the scandal, according to a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz said he would examine whether the data subpoenaed by the Justice Department and turned over by Apple followed department policy and “whether any such uses, or the investigations, were based upon improper considerations.”

It’s time for the men who led the Justice Department under Trump — former attorneys general Jeff Sessions and William “Bill” Barr — to answer these allegations, as well, said Sen Maxie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

“First of all, I would like them to testify. And if they do not do so voluntarily, then they should be subpoenaed. And if they choose to stonewall, then we need to follow the remedies that go with stonewalling Congress. But, first of all, I think that this kind of hearing should occur,” she said. “My hope is that the former attorney generals will testify as part of their sense of responsibility to the positions they held and to our country.”

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