Last week was the kind of week where we saw a black hole for the first time; former Stormy Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti was hit with 36 charges of tax dodging, perjury, and theft; the National Enquirer maybe went up for sale; and Benjamin Netanyahu won a fifth term as Israel's prime minister. If you're wondering what else people have been talking about over the past seven days, these tidbits are a good place to start.

Is Homeland Security Being Purged?

What happened: Something is going on at the Department of Homeland Security, with multiple figures being pushed out by the White House and the word "purge" being thrown around like it's nothing.

What really happened: Perhaps the US political story of the past week actually got started almost exactly seven days ago, when this news broke on what was otherwise an unusually quiet Sunday:

Yes, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was out after a meeting with President Trump. Even though the think piece industry made hay of the news—as did the behind-the-scenes stories—the actual news developed a few days later, with this announcement:

At the same time as all of this was happening, there was a lot of conversation about the fact that the president had only just withdrawn his nomination for the next Immigration and Customs Enforcement director—Ron Vitiello, who resigned as acting director later in the week—apparently wanting someone "tougher." Sounds like a lot? Because if not, this also went down last week:

Well, surely he's being removed for good reas—OK, we can't even finish that sentence.

For anyone thinking, "Hey, it seems like a bunch of DHS people are disappearing at the same time, is something transpiring?" Well … yes.

So, what is going on? Nothing good, to say the least.

Of course, to hear Trump tell it, he's not into separating families at all. Just the opposite apparently.

It should go without saying, but let's just make sure: He's not telling the truth.

When it comes to what's going on with the Department of Homeland Security as the president seeks to reset his policies, the word "purge" was being thrown around by many, which isn't a good sign.

The takeaway: This tweet from Saturday proved to be somewhat prescient, apparently:

Bill Barr Goes to Congress

What happened: If there were those still undecided about attorney general Bill Barr after his actions surrounding special counsel Robert Mueller's report, he might have made up some people's minds last week with two appearances before Congress.