“how Mother Jones, a liberal magazine, obtained a recording of political aides meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell “
Uh, because the libs bugged the room?
It’s safe to assume all buildings in DC have listening devices in them, everywhere.
Even the liberal rooms because someone has to keep the party faithful on the path.
Dissent is to be squashed, how else would they do that if they didn’t listen in on the party faithful discussing pimples and yogurt in the mens room?
Disloyal staffer with an open mike cell phone, or a virus loaded onto a loyal staffer’s cell phone?
Any smart phone that has a battery in it can be used as a listening device (even if it's off).