Trump orders Justice Department to investigate Democrats

What happened

President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department on Saturday to investigate Democratic leaders, saying they had threatened Republican officials, donors and supporters and describing the conduct as extortion, abuse of the legal system and a criminal act Der Spiegel (German)CNBCSky News Arabia (Arabic).

In the midterm elections held on Tuesday, Democratic candidates defeated Republican candidates, securing a majority in Congress that will take effect in January Der Spiegel (German)Sky News Arabia (Arabic).

Party leaders said they will reassert congressional oversight of the executive branch through hearings and investigations once Democrats control Congress Der Spiegel (German)Sky News Arabia (Arabic).

Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan urged Congress at a University of Chicago event on October 13 to investigate individuals who helped implement President Trump’s policies Der Spiegel (German)CNBCSky News Arabia (Arabic).

Republican Senator Mike Lee accused Senator Slotkin of threatening young people who want to enter politics; Slotkin rejected the accusation as false and called the criticism manufactured anger Der Spiegel (German)Sky News Arabia (Arabic).

The details

Democratic Representative Robert Garcia of California issued a statement urging the opposition to retain legal counsel Der Spiegel (German).

Justice Minister Todd Blanche criticized Democratic members of Congress on Fox News, calling their actions disgusting for not waiting a week before acting Der Spiegel (German).

The Justice Department had previously investigated Senator Slotkin, according to reports Der Spiegel (German).

A video posted in November 2025 showed Senator Slotkin and other Democratic leaders urging the U.S. military to refuse illegal orders after Caribbean airstrikes; Slotkin later said her family and staff faced physical and legal intimidation following the video CNBC.

President Trump described the November 20 video as treason and said an example must be set CNBC.

The FBI contacted lawmakers, including Senator Slotkin, days after the video; Slotkin declined a Justice Department interview in February, and a federal grand jury later declined to indict the video participants CNBC.

Trump also claimed that Senator Slotkin was planning to go after all young people who believe in Republican values CNBC.

German reports note that Trump tasked the Justice Department with an investigation against Democrats, sowed doubt about the congressional election and threatened Democrats FAZ (German).

Who is reporting what

Der Spiegel and CNBC reported the core order by Trump to the Justice Department and highlighted Senator Slotkin’s October 13 remarks, while Sky News Arabia added the claim that Slotkin wants a deterrence message sent. FAZ emphasized the broader context of Trump sowing election doubt and issuing threats against Democrats.

Context and impact

The Justice Department’s involvement in a partisan investigation raises questions about the separation of powers and the use of federal agencies for political purposes. With Democrats set to control Congress, the promised oversight could lead to hearings that examine the president’s actions and the alleged threats.

What we do not know yet

The specific communications alleged as threats have not been identified publicly. Details of the prior Justice Department investigation of Senator Slotkin remain unclear. The outcome of any new investigation ordered by the president has not been disclosed.