Trump orders DOJ to investigate Democrats over impeachment threats
The president made the claim on Truth Social after Democrats won control of Congress in the midterm elections, offering no evidence.
At a glance
- Trump ordered the DOJ to investigate Democrats for allegedly threatening people with impeachment after the midterm elections.
- The president made the claims on Truth Social and provided no evidence to support them.
- Democrats won both chambers of Congress and plan probes into Trump officials and agencies when they take office in January.
United States President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate Democratic lawmakers, alleging they threatened people with impeachment and other forms of punishment after winning control of Congress in the midterm elections. Trump made the claim in a Truth Social post on Saturday, days after the Tuesday elections.
In the post, Trump described the Democrats' actions as a "criminal act" and extortion, but provided no evidence. He said some members of his cabinet had been threatened with impeachment and claimed Democrats were targeting donors over their political views, specifically naming Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin without offering proof.
Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress from Republicans in the midterms. When they take control in January, they will be able to conduct investigations, request documents, summon officials to testify, and hold hearings. Democratic lawmakers have said they plan to probe the Trump family's financial dealings, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Robert Garcia, a Democratic Representative from California expected to chair the House Oversight Committee, posted "LAWYER UP" on social media after it became clear Democrats would take the House.
The directive continues a pattern from Trump's second term in which he has called for investigations into political opponents, including former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What did Trump order the DOJ to do?
- Trump ordered the Department of Justice to investigate Democratic lawmakers for allegedly threatening people with impeachment and other punishment. He provided no evidence.
- Why did Trump make the order?
- The order followed Democratic victories in the midterm elections, after which lawmakers said they would investigate Trump officials and agencies once Congress convenes in January.
- Did Trump provide evidence for his claims?
- No. Trump said Democrats' actions amounted to a criminal act and extortion but gave no evidence, including when he specifically named Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin.
