He suggests the department has concerns that sensitive matters weren't flagged to higher levels as they should have been.

The Justice Department's Inspector General on Friday announced a review of the department's subpoenas powers "and other legal authorities to obtain communication records of Members of Congress and affiliated persons, and the news media in connection with recent investigations of alleged unauthorized disclosures of information to the media by government officials."

Representatives from the effected news outlets are scheduled to meet with DOJ officials Monday afternoon.

Read the full statement from the attorney general:

"As I stated during my confirmation hearing, political or other improper considerations must play no role in any investigative or prosecutorial decisions.

These principles that have long been held as sacrosanct by the DOJ career workforce will be vigorously guarded on my watch, and any failure to live up to them will be met with strict accountability.

There are important questions that must be resolved in connection with an effort by the department to obtain records related to Members of Congress and Congressional staff.