Trump and Justice Department brace for Democratic investigations

President Donald Trump and his Justice Department are taking a combative stance toward Democrats after their midterm election victories, signaling intense conflict as lawmakers prepare aggressive investigations into the executive branch next year. Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed Trump's defiance, saying criminal investigations of Democrats are possible, while Rep. Robert Garcia, poised to chair the House Oversight Committee, is preparing probes into what he calls the "Trump crime family." Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries said impeachment remains an option, though some Democrats worry overreach could undermine their mandate to address cost-of-living issues. About 7 in 10 voters say Congress is not doing enough to check the presidency, according to The AP Voter Poll. New senators expressed skepticism about impeachment and Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, while Jeffries criticized Trump's chief of staff pick Stephen Miller and supported an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.