The White House has enlisted two dozen attorneys, legislative liaisons and others to craft strategies in the face of Republican threats to charge the president with high crimes and misdemeanors.
Punishments meant to be used only in the most serious circumstances have grown politicized and normalized. New charges against former President Donald J. Trump are likely to spur more recriminations.
The far right is taking aim at the F.B.I. and the Justice Department in a push to cut funding for the agencies, another complication for Speaker Kevin McCarthy as he seeks to avoid a government shutdown.