Trump and Justice Department brace for Democratic investigation blitz

President Donald Trump and his Justice Department are taking a combative stance toward Democrats after their election victories in the midterms, signaling intense conflict to come as lawmakers prepare aggressive investigations into the executive branch next year. Trump set the tone, declaring on social media that investigative requests already made by Democrats are "extortion at the highest level, and they should be held accountable." Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed the Republican president and said criminal investigations of Democrats are possible. Rep. Robert Garcia, poised to chair the House Oversight Committee, is preparing investigations into what he calls the "Trump crime family," while Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries said impeachment is an option. About 7 in 10 voters nationally say Congress is not doing enough to check the presidency, according to The AP Voter Poll. Some Democrats, including Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, warn that focusing on investigations could overshadow promises to lower living costs. Jeffries also supports a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who dismissed the push as "politics of personal destruction."