Trump orders inquiry into alleged Democratic ‘threats’, report says

Donald Trump has directed the US Justice Department to investigate alleged threats by Democrats, according to an ANP/Reuters report published by Nieuws.nl. The reported order comes as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress following the midterm elections.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Democrats of threatening people, including the US attorney general, with impeachment and other punishments. He called their conduct a criminal act and blackmail, and claimed Democrats themselves admitted there were no grounds for impeachment.

The report did not identify the Democrats or statements behind his allegations, or give details of the order’s scope.

Impeachment is a process through which the House of Representatives can bring formal charges against a federal official. A simple majority in the House is needed to impeach; conviction and removal from office require a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

Before Trump’s accusation, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries told NPR that Democrats would investigate alleged wrongdoing by the administration. Asked whether Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth should be impeached, Jeffries said his party would discuss it, but stopped short of endorsing impeachment.

Democratic congressman John Mannion separately told WSYR-TV that he believed there was compelling evidence of impeachable conduct by Trump, while calling for hearings and fact-finding before a decision on impeachment.