Another thought: how many times have these gallant and brave rank and file feds used information gleaned from these queries for personal gain? It could be as simple as learning who plans on developing what parcels of land?; who has been talking to whom about a merger or acquisition?; who booked themselves into which rehab facilities?; the possibilities for abuse of all the data held by NSA are endless.
How come Andrew McCabe drives a Porsche 911 GT4? How did Boy Scout Comey talk his way onto the board of HSBC?