The US Department of Justice is bracing for congressional investigations after Democrats captured majorities in both the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections. Despite losing thousands of career employees and post-election resignations among senior leaders, Attorney General Todd Blanche insisted the department will continue advancing President Donald Trump's agenda.
According to the Associated Press and The Washington Post on Friday, Blanche said during a Monday interview on Fox News: "We will not back down. This will not slow us down. This will not stop us. President Trump has two years remaining in this administration and you better believe that we're going to use it effectively." A top aide urged federal prosecutors nationwide to prepare for wartime footing; a Justice Department spokesperson later said the reference concerned public safety enforcement rather than political battles.
Senate-confirmed leaders of the National Security, Civil, and Civil Rights divisions all announced resignations immediately after the election. Former Nevada US Attorney Greg Brower warned that relying on unconfirmed acting leaders under a Democratic Senate could stall difficult departmental decisions, as career staffing losses already strain major litigating divisions.
Ahead of the January congressional transition, Houston US Attorney Aaron Reitz sent a letter ordering Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal to preserve all records regarding his inquiry into White House ballroom funding. Reitz accused the senator of intimidating philanthropic citizens who donated to the project; Blumenthal responded publicly that he would not be intimidated by federal prosecutors. Blanche told reporters Thursday that no criminal investigations exist into lawmakers' oversight rhetoric, though he reiterated concerns over threats facing executive officials. Former House General Counsel Stan Brand noted that criminal contempt referrals for defied subpoenas would still go to the Trump Justice Department itself.
