Trump Calls Democratic Impeachment Threats 'Blackmail' as He Orders Justice Probe

Donald Trump said Saturday he ordered the Justice Department to investigate Democrats' threats, which he called "blackmail," to use their future congressional majority to pursue impeachment proceedings against members of his administration. The Republican president faces a transformed political landscape after Democrats' sweeping midterm victory Tuesday, giving them control of both the House and Senate. Democratic leaders said parliamentary investigations into Trump, his government, and associates, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Todd Blanche, would be a priority. Trump denied any impeachable offenses and called the threats "unprecedented and totally illegal," saying "these scumbags should go to prison." Impeachment would face long odds requiring a two-thirds Senate majority, and Democrats appear hesitant to attempt a third impeachment, which could galvanize his base. Potential inquiry topics include Trump family business and crypto investments, Elon Musk's government contracts, federal agency cuts, mass deportation policy, and the Iran war.