US investigators were allowed access to Trump allies’ emails

Justice department was granted access to emails from former employees and loyalists

Federal investigators have been scrutinizing emails between lawyers for Donald Trump and a loyalist Republican congressman for months, it emerged on Friday, casting new light on the direction of the criminal inquiry into the former president's alleged insurrection efforts.

Beryl Howell, the US district court chief judge, granted a request from the justice department to unseal an order she made in June.