Conflict erupts before Congress is seated
The Gateway Pundit reported that on Nov. 7 President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate Democratic lawmakers who, in the days after winning control of Congress, publicly identified Trump officials and allies they intend to probe or impeach. The outlet noted none of the named figures has been charged and that, as of Nov. 7, DOJ had not announced a formal investigation.
What Trump said
In a Truth Social post quoted by The Gateway Pundit, Trump wrote there “have been no impeachable acts committed, or even thought of, by the victims of this illegal process,” calling it “extortion at the highest level.”
Who Democrats are eyeing, per the report
The Gateway Pundit said Democrats named Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Todd Blanche, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner as targets for investigation. The outlet also reported Trump named Miller White House chief of staff on Nov. 6, replacing Susie Wiles.
‘LAWYER UP’ warnings and promised probes
According to the outlet, Rep. Robert Garcia (D‑Calif.), described as the incoming chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, posted “LAWYER UP” on election night. After Trump tapped Miller as chief of staff, Garcia called Miller “the architect of the unconstitutional ICE raids” and said Miller “should lawyer up,” The Gateway Pundit reported. The outlet said Garcia promised “quick action” on what he called “pay‑to‑play schemes” involving Noem and former aide Corey Lewandowski, and told constituents in January that Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries had selected him “to lead an impeachment inquiry into Noem.” Garcia’s House website quotes him saying ICE “in its current form cannot exist,” per the report.
The Gateway Pundit added that Garcia referenced a $2 billion investment in Kushner’s private equity fund from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and assistance with Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas wedding by Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, “according to CBS and Forbes.” The outlet said Trump has stated his son repaid Kremlev. It also reported Garcia sent letters to Kushner and to Kimberly Guilfoyle, described by the outlet as the ambassador to Greece.
Slotkin clash and CNN defense of Trump’s move
The Gateway Pundit reported Trump singled out Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D‑Mich.), noting her recent comment aimed at would‑be administration hires: “Lord, that might be buying myself a ton of problems I don’t want,” adding, “I want that deterrence message sent.” The outlet said Slotkin organized a 2025 video urging service members to refuse illegal orders; Hegseth labeled the lawmakers in it the “Seditious Six.” A Washington grand jury declined to return indictments sought over the video, and Slotkin said prosecutors acted “at the direction of President Trump,” The Gateway Pundit reported. On CNN, Blanche defended Trump’s DOJ order, saying, “at some point you have to draw the line,” per the outlet.
Homeland Security targets and pushback
House Homeland Security Committee Democrats told Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to “clear your calendar,” according to The Gateway Pundit. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D‑Ill.) told Mullin, border czar Tom Homan, and Miller to make themselves available; the outlet reported that DHS’s top lawyer pushed back. The outlet also noted Ramirez has called ICE a “terrorist organization” and attributed to her an April statement that DACA deportations followed a “white nationalist agenda” laid out by the Trump administration and Miller.
Impeachment talk ramps up
Two House Democrats—Rep. Hank Johnson (D‑Ga.) and Rep. Deborah Ross (D‑N.C.)—called for impeaching Blanche on SiriusXM’s “The Dan Abrams Show,” The Gateway Pundit reported. Ross added, “100 percent,” but said she would start with Hegseth. The outlet said no formal impeachment resolution against Blanche had been announced. Hegseth already faces eight impeachment articles filed Sept. 15 by Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.), which Democrats support, according to the report. Hegseth called them “sham articles of impeachment,” and Trump said Hegseth has done a “fantastic job,” per the outlet.
Other inquiries and calls for restraint
The Gateway Pundit reported that Rep. Jamie Raskin (D‑Md.) is investigating donations Trump received from people he later pardoned, a White House pressure campaign on law firms, and the DOJ’s anti‑weaponization fund.
Some Democrats have urged caution, the outlet noted. Kansas Sen.‑elect Adam Hamilton said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” he would be “deeply disappointed” to spend his first two years in investigations and did not want to divide the country further. Former Sen. Joe Manchin urged Democrats not to be “consumed with retaliation and retribution,” according to the report. A Democratic‑aligned Third Way memo cited by the outlet found voters preferred a focus on costs over investigations (67% to 27%); among Democrats, it was 49% for investigations and 47% for costs.
What’s next
The new Congress convenes Jan. 3. The Gateway Pundit reported that none of the named Trump‑world figures has been charged with a crime, and DOJ had not announced a formal investigation as of Nov. 7.
