Two House Democrats are already calling for the impeachment of Attorney General Todd Blanche, signaling an aggressive oversight push as the party prepares to take control of Congress following the GOP's midterm losses.
Reps. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) voiced their support for removing Blanche on Thursday, just two days after Democrats secured majorities in both chambers. Their comments came amid a broader Democratic strategy to curb the Trump administration's agenda, as outlined in recent party planning.
"I personally believe that the offenses of Todd Blanche demand that he be impeached and convicted and removed from office," Johnson said on SiriusXM's "The Dan Abrams Show." He added, "I think his efforts to undermine the rule of law can't go unaddressed."
Johnson was responding to a question about how Democrats could address the Department of Justice's alleged use of its authority for political retribution under President Trump. Ross, who appeared after Johnson, agreed with his assessment but suggested the party should first target Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces a possible impeachment vote as soon as next week, spearheaded by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).
"100 percent," Ross said when asked if she supported impeaching Blanche, adding, "But I think we should start with Hegseth." She also predicted an impeachment resolution against Blanche, telling Abrams, "I can't imagine we won't have one."
Ross pointed to the Democrats' new Senate majority as a reason impeachment might succeed this time. "When you've got 56 Democrats, and there are still some Republicans who have bucked Trump who are there, there is a chance that some of this will happen," she said.
Blanche's leadership at the DOJ has drawn renewed scrutiny, including the department's intervention in Alaska's Senate election. Trump directed the DOJ to file a lawsuit seeking to block certification under certain circumstances if Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) lost to Democrat Mary Peltola, arguing that a similarly named candidate could confuse voters and affect the outcome.
The department also saw a high-profile departure Thursday when Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division, resigned after months of criticism over her handling of civil rights enforcement. The developments come as Democrats are mapping a multifront strategy to check the administration's power, with some lawmakers also eyeing actions against Vice President Vance over foreign policy.
