House Democrats defend oversight as Trump orders impeachment probe
Trump accused Democratic leaders of coordinating a pressure campaign against political figures after the midterm elections, a charge Democrats have not accepted.
House Democrats defended congressional oversight powers on Sunday as President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to investigate political figures over potential impeachment discussions, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee said in a post on the social media platform X that they "do not idly threaten people with impeachment" and do not take the power lightly.
Trump has accused Democratic leaders of "extortion at the highest level" after the recent midterm elections, alleging they coordinated a pressure campaign that threatened political figures with criminal penalties and removal.
The accused figures include Attorney General Todd Blanche and Republican campaign donors, according to the report.
Trump described the legislative oversight efforts as "weaponization and lawfare," arguing that opponents targeted people over party affiliation rather than substantive offenses.
The committee Democrats said members of Congress retain a constitutional duty to examine executive conduct, and holding officials accountable is not a crime.
They challenged Trump's claim of an obsessive Democratic focus on impeachment, pointing out that a measure pending on the House floor next week came from a Republican.
Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie has an absolute First Amendment right to introduce the resolution, the committee said.
The resolution seeks the impeachment and trial of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over alleged war crimes and constitutional violations.
The lawmakers warned that prosecuting speech is an abuse of executive power, noting that grand juries and federal judges have repeatedly dismissed politically motivated indictments.
"The best way for any president to avoid impeachment, conviction, removal and disqualification is to enforce the law," they said.
The dispute comes as tensions rise after the midterm elections, with control of Congress and the balance of power in Washington expected to shape the next phase of Trump's presidency.
Under the US Constitution, the House can impeach federal officials, and the Senate holds the trial that follows.
