Democrats' sweep puts Justice Department under congressional scrutiny

Democrats' midterm sweep has put the Justice Department on alert for aggressive congressional oversight, with lawmakers pledging to investigate its actions during Trump's second term. Attorney General Todd Blanche faces subpoenas and inquiries from incoming Democratic majorities. Democrats plan to scrutinize mass firings, controversial prosecutions of Trump's foes, and the department's diminished independence from the White House. Committees are hiring former career prosecutors who left the agency, while several senior officials have resigned since the election. Blanche has signaled resistance, and Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate Democratic threats. The department's expanded view of executive privilege may face legal challenges, though past conflicts between Congress and DOJ have eventually eased over time.