1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

As your constituent, I am writing to urge every member of Congress—and especially those concluding their service in this lame-duck session—to defend Article I legislative authority against Executive Branch intimidation. On Saturday, November 7, following midterm election results, President Trump publicly directed the Justice Department to investigate Democratic lawmakers, labeling standard oversight plans "extortion." On Sunday, Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed on national television that the DOJ could pursue criminal investigations against members of Congress based on public statements regarding planned committee hearings, corporate subpoenas, and impeachment inquiries. Announcing oversight hearings, issuing subpoenas, and debating impeachment are core constitutional duties—not federal crimes. The legal protections governing Congress are unambiguous: - Constitutional Authority: Article I grants Congress the sole authority to conduct oversight and initiate impeachment inquiries. Bullet Speech or Debate Clause: Article I, Section 6 explicitly protects legislative acts—including committee statements, subpoenas, and floor votes—from executive questioning or criminal prosecution. - Established Precedent: On December 13, 2023, the House voted 221–212 to authorize an impeachment inquiry into the previous administration, establishing that committee oversight is an inherent legislative function regardless of which party holds the majority. When the Executive Branch attempts to reframe constitutional checks and balances as criminal "threats" or "extortion," Congress must act before the December 11 funding deadline. I urge you to take immediate legislative and oversight action: 1. Demand DOJ Record Preservation: Send formal letters to Attorney General Blanche directing the Justice Department to preserve all communications regarding orders or plans to investigate members of Congress for legislative acts. 2. Issue Bipartisan Affirmations: Pass a bipartisan resolution affirming that standard congressional oversight, subpoenas, and impeachment inquiries do not constitute criminal conduct. 3. Attach Appropriations Prohibitions: Insert strict language into the year-end government funding bill barring federal funds from being used by the Justice Department to investigate or prosecute members of Congress for actions protected under the Speech or Debate Clause. 4. Require Public Accounting: Direct the DOJ to clarify in writing its formal position on legislative immunity and oversight authority. Members who do not face voters again hold a unique responsibility to protect the institution. History will record what you did to preserve Article I authority when it counted.