Driving the news: In an article published Saturday by Truth Social, Trump accused Democrats of threatening administration officials and Republican donors with investigations and impeachment.
- “This is extortion at the highest level, and they should be held accountable,” Trump wrote.
- He pointed the finger at Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), accusing her of threatening young people who hold Republican views.
- “These EXTORTIONISTS should be jailed,” Trump wrote.
- “By copy of this statement, I order the Department of Justice to immediately investigate this criminal act!” he added.
The last one: On CNN’s “State of the Union,” Blanche acknowledged Congress’s constitutional oversight authority but argued that Democrats’ rhetoric had crossed the line.
- When asked whether the DOJ would investigate Democratic lawmakers, Blanche did not identify any criminal statutes or confirm that an investigation had begun.
- When asked whether lawmakers could be sentenced to imprisonment, Blanche said it depended on the crimes they committed.
- On Fox News, he said the possibility of criminal charges depended on what Democrats said.
- The White House and Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment.
What they say: Blanche singled out new House Oversight Committee Chairman Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), who has warned officials, including new White House chief of staff Stephen Miller, to “retain counsel.”
- “I would be very concerned if I were on this committee,” Blanche told CNN.
- He also said the department would provide legal defense for administration officials facing congressional scrutiny, including new White House chief of staff Stephen Miller.
The other side: Garcia accused Blanche of trying to intimidate Congress and said Democrats would not back down.
- “They can come after us however they want. We’re not going to be intimidated,” Garcia told CNN.
- Garcia said his commission would investigate allegations of wrongdoing involving Trump’s administration, his family and business allies.
Flashback: In February, a federal grand jury rejected the DOJ’s attempt to indict Slotkin and five other Democratic lawmakers over a video urging service members to refuse illegal military orders.
What’s next: It remains unclear whether the DOJ opened an investigation in response to Trump’s order, which lawmakers it might examine or what conduct it believes could constitute a crime.
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