Blanche Says Lawmakers’ Oversight Rhetoric Could Be Criminal

Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that statements by Democratic lawmakers about investigating or impeaching Trump administration officials could potentially expose them to criminal prosecution, depending on what they said. He also said the Justice Department would defend administration officials called before Congress, including Stephen Miller, the incoming White House chief of staff.

In an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Blanche acknowledged that Americans may criticize President Donald Trump and his administration, but said some threats could cross a line. Asked whether lawmakers’ statements could be a crime, he replied, “It depends on what’s said. So yes, there could be.” He did not identify a criminal statute or say that an investigation into lawmakers had begun.

Blanche’s remarks followed Trump’s Saturday call for the Justice Department to investigate Democrats over what he described as threats and extortion. Trump’s social-media post referred to lawmakers’ plans for investigations and impeachment. The reports of his order do not establish that the department opened an investigation.

The dispute centers in part on Democrats’ plans to scrutinize the...