Around 2005 I was in a meeting with a top Republican senator. Not a political meeting. He needed info on a person and right in front of me, called Pres GWB and arranged for British intel to do quick investigation on some US citizens. It was very matter of fact and common. Nobody even blinked. And in this case the Republican senator had good cause to request the intel and it ended up getting persons fired who were criminals and causing harm. I did not know it was illegal. Very casual.