WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Wednesday the federal government would come "to a halt" if Democrats pursue investigations against his administration, threatening a political landscape that would be "warlike."

In a testy press conference on the day after Democrats claimed control of the House for the first time in eight years, Trump said he would look for areas of bipartisan agreement with Democratic leaders but also threatened the possibility of further impasse.

"If that happens then we're going to do the same thing and government comes to a halt," Trump said. "And I would blame them."

Trump repeated a threat to launch counter-investigations if Democrats look into his past business practices and decision-making in the White House. Asked what he would do if Democrats attempt to pursue his tax returns, Trump repeated his claim he is under audit and said most voters would not understand the returns.

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"If they do that," Trump said of the potential a blizzard of investigations, "then it's just – all it is is a warlike posture."

House Democrats have said they will press for more information about the interactions between Trump's real estate empire and his decisions in office, including whether members of the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida are influencing executive decisions. They are also sure to seek additional documents related to Cabinet controversies, including the multiple probes of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

But Trump also suggested that his administration could work with House Democrats on infrastructure, prescription drug prices and other issues.

“It really could be a beautiful, bipartisan situation," Trump said. "There are many things that we can get along on without a lot of trouble."