Trump's AG won't rule out prosecuting Democrats who threaten to investigate

Attorney General Todd Blanche refused Sunday to rule out prosecuting Democratic lawmakers who say they'll investigate Trump officials, a day after President Trump ordered the Justice Department to probe lawmakers. Why it matters: The confrontation threatens a constitutional crisis over the separation of powers: Trump is ordering prosecutors to go after lawmakers in a potential effort to hamper Congress' power to hold the executive branch accountable. Driving the news: In a Truth Social post Saturday, Trump accused Democrats of threatening administration officials and Republican donors with investigations and impeachment. "This is extortion at the highest level, and they should be held accountable for this," Trump wrote. He singled out Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), accusing her of threatening young people who hold Republican views. "The imprisonment should be against these EXTORTIONISTS," Trump wrote. "By copy of this statement, I am ordering the Department of Justice to look into this criminal act, immediately!" he added. The latest: On CNN's "State of the Union," Blanche acknowledged Congress' constitutional oversight authority but argued that Democrats' rhetoric had crossed a line. Asked whether DOJ would investigate Democratic lawmakers, Blanche did not identify a criminal statute or confirm that an investigation had begun. Asked whether lawmakers could face imprisonment, Blanche said it depended on what crimes they had committed. On Fox News, he said the possibility of criminal charges depended on what Democrats had said. The White House and Justice Department have not responded to requests for comment. What they're saying: Blanche singled out incoming House Oversight Committee Chair Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), who warned officials, including incoming White House chief of staff Stephen Miller, to "lawyer up." "I would be very worried if I was a member on that committee," Blanche told CNN. He also said the department would provide legal defense for administration