Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Nov 9: US Attorney General Todd Blanche has vowed that the Justice Department would actively defend President Donald Trump and senior administration officials if the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress attempts to investigate or take action against them.

Blanche’s remarks came after Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, who is expected to become chairman of the House Oversight Committee following the Democrats’ gains in the midterm elections, urged Trump’s allies to “lawyer up”.

Trump, meanwhile, on Saturday directed the Justice Department to investigate his Democratic opponents, describing them as “extortionists”.

“My job as the attorney general is... to defend the administration. We do that in court in all sorts of ways,” Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer, told CNN.

He specifically criticised Democratic opposition to Trump’s appointment of Stephen Miller, the architect of the president’s hardline immigration policy, as his new chief of staff.

“If they try to come after Stephen Miller... of course the Department of Justice will be there to defend him,” Blanche said.

Responding to Blanche, Garcia said Congress had a constitutional responsibility to oversee the executive branch. He accused the attorney general of focusing on protecting Trump and his administration rather than fulfilling his responsibilities independently.

“Working to protect Donald Trump’s cabinet and administration officials is not his job, I want to remind him,” Garcia said.

Asked whether he would continue pursuing congressional oversight even if the Justice Department investigated him, Garcia remained defiant.

“They can come after us however they want. We’re not going to be intimidated,” he said.