This week, the U.S. Department of Justice took official actions that could have dramatic effects on the ongoing criminal investigations into friends and associates of President Trump.

Federal prosecutors on the case of Trump's longtime friend and political advisor, Roger Stone, were set to recommend that he serve seven to nine years in prison after being convicted of charges stemming from the Mueller investigation. But after Trump criticized the sentencing on Twitter, U.S. Attorney General William Barr reportedly intervened to lower the sentence for the self-described "dirty trickster."

Following the move, the four prosecutors who tried the Stone case resigned, apparently in protest. Both Trump and Barr have denied discussing Stone's sentencing with each other, but even the shadow of White House interference with Justice Department matters is a serious concern for NYU Law School professor and former New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram.

"It doesn't matter, Democrat or Republican, but elected officials should not be in any way controlling the criminal justice system," Milgram told WNYC host Jami Floyd. "We have laws, and we don't let politics decide who gets prosecuted and who gets a pass."

For the full conversation, click "Listen."