Rank-and-file prosecutors and agents have expressed serious concern that a hobbled work force hurts the government’s ability to identify and stop terrorist plots, cyberattacks, mass violence and fraud.

As a damaged U.S. helicopter struggled to stay aloft over Venezuela’s capital, the success of the entire operation hung in the balance.

The president said he wanted Congress to stop the purchases by big investors, which have driven up rents and set obstacles for first-time buyers in some markets.