Justice Department Braces for 2 Years of Democratic Probes After Midterm Sweep
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 8
Justice Department Braces for 2 Years of Democratic Probes After Midterm Sweep
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 8
Summary
Democrats’ midterm sweep is set to unleash subpoenas and investigations across the Justice Department, putting Attorney General Todd Blanche on the defensive for the final two years of Trump’s term.
Blanche enters that fight with a diminished department after mass firings, career-staffer departures and several post-election exits by senior officials tied to high-profile cases against Trump’s adversaries.
Likely targets include Blanche’s shelved $1.8 billion IRS settlement fund, immunity provisions for Trump and his sons, the department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, pardon-related lobbying and prosecutions such as the latest case against James Comey.
The clashes could widen because Trump’s team is expected to assert an expansive view of executive privilege, a position legal observers say is likely to be tested in court.
Relations may be especially strained because DOJ’s congressional liaison office has been sidelined and depleted, leaving few ties to Democrats just as they take control of both chambers.