Democrats grapple with Trump's push to limit transparency within the executive branch

President Trump is pushing the boundaries of executive power to limit transparency within the executive branch. Congressional Democrats are grappling with how to respond. Over the past year, the Trump administration has taken steps to evade scrutiny and official oversight in many ways, both quietly and very publicly.

Just this week, President Trump made headlines when he confirmed he was secretly removed from Air Force One in Turkey last month following a threat from Iran. Trump explained it as a security necessity, but it is just one incident in a string of recent events, and Democrats are preparing to push back. NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson and congressional reporter Eric McDaniel join me now in the studio to explain.

FENG: Carrie, let's start with you because this plane is one example, but can you explain what other steps this administration is taking to shield themselves? This week, the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion that would extend executive privilege to outside advisers, not just a president's inner circle. That memo says the administration can shield these private advisers so long as they're talking to the president or his direct reports and that the topic relates to presidential decision-making.

Now, the timing here is interesting - just a few months before the midterm elections, where polls suggest Democrats could retake control of at least one chamber in Congress. Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, posted on X that this should be seen as a, quote, "partisan measure to insulate the president and his corrupt activities from congressional subpoenas when the majority flips." I also spoke with Carlos Iriarte (ph). He's a lawyer and expert in congressional investigations.

CARLOS IRIARTE: This opinion gives Democrats a window into how the administration is preparing on their side for a change of control in Congress. And I'm sure Democrats, similarly, are taking this opinion into account as they think about, you know, what tools and strategies they may use to try to make sure they can get the information they need. JOHNSON: Now, for its part, the Justice Department says this opinion simply reaffirms precedent.

And a White House spokeswoman says restricting executive privilege to only communications within the executive branch would make it impossible for President Trump to rely on important outside sources. FENG: Eric, Senator Schiff is already raising red flags about what the administration is up to. Do we know what Democrats in general want to do in response?