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Really? I'd like to learn more about this, do you have a source?

(aside: Sorry for the downvote, my finger slipped up :/)

IANAL, but it appears to depend under which legal authority the letter is issued (Verizon's was 50 U.S.C. 436). See the chart on page 15: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/intel/RL33320.pdf

The chart of page 15 of the document you linked says a 50 USC 436 covers "all financial information relating to consenting, identified employee" but wasn't it used to obtain customer information from Verizon? What am I missing here? Is what the document is describing just one possible use case?

Edit: typo

You're right; I misread it. It's 50 U.S.C. 1861. Sorry, I'm out of my depth.

Lol so am I that's why I wanted to clarify. Thanks for clearing that up

How does that work for international companies who end up sued in non US jurisdictions?

Well, has this been tried in court?

I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't the case and yes, one part of the government makes you do it, and the other one sues you for it.