Justice Department Defies Congressional Investigations Into Trump Agenda
Attorney General Todd Blanche pledged the Justice Department will not retreat from President Donald Trump's agenda despite planned Democratic investigations into the agency.
Democratic gains in Congress have triggered a confrontation with the United States Department of Justice, as lawmakers plan investigations into the agency's firing of career employees and its pursuit of political adversaries. Attorney General Todd Blanche responded by stating the department will not back down from the president's agenda.
Tensions escalated when top aide Aakash Singh instructed prosecutors to prepare for a "wartime" footing. The Justice Department later clarified that this directive pertained to public safety and cooperation with local leaders. Simultaneously, U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz warned Senator Richard Blumenthal to preserve records regarding an inquiry into White House ballroom funding, accusing the senator of intimidation.
White House counsel Will Scharf suggested that some congressional inquiries may constitute "blatant criminality." President Donald Trump has characterized the Democratic actions as "extortion" and ordered an investigation into their rhetoric.
