White House warns Democrats over planned Trump investigations

The White House’s top lawyer has warned the incoming Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee that planned investigations of President Donald Trump’s administration could “cross the line into blatant criminality,” drawing a pledge from the lawmaker to press ahead.

In a letter dated Monday to Rep. Robert Garcia of California, White House counsel Will Scharf argued that congressional investigations and subpoenas must serve a “legitimate legislative purpose.” He said threats aimed at deterring executive branch officials from public service, or inquiries intended to frighten their targets, could be unlawful.

“Issuing unlawful subpoenas with the intention of depriving citizens of their constitutional rights and privileges may warrant further investigation,” Scharf wrote. He accused Democrats of planning to use investigative powers “to harass and aggrandize rather than to advance any legitimate end.”

Garcia rejected the warning. “It appears Donald Trump has something to hide,” he said in a statement. “Congress’ authority comes from Article I of the Constitution, not from the permission of the White House.” He said Congress has broad authority to investigate as part of its power to legislate.

“We are a co-equal branch of government and will not be deterred by baseless threats from a weaponized DOJ or from the President’s lawyers,” Garcia said. He accused the administration of threatening Congress’s oversight authority.

The exchange follows last week’s midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. CBS News reported that they were poised to hold at least 254 House seats and 54 Senate seats, giving them control of committees and subpoena power in January. The Guardian reported that the incoming House majority would be the party’s largest since 2008.

Garcia, who is set to lead the Oversight Committee, has told the administration to “Lawyer up.” According to CBS News, the panel is expected to examine the Trump family’s business dealings, corporate corruption, federal immigration authorities and the scandal involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Garcia has also identified possible inquiries into the family’s cryptocurrency ventures, a $2 billion Saudi sovereign wealth fund investment in Jared Kushner’s private equity fund, Pentagon contracts awarded to companies linked to Trump’s sons and corporate donations for a new White House ballroom. CBS News reported that other possible subjects include allegations involving Department of Homeland Security contracts and Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding festivities in the Bahamas.

Scharf’s letter cited lawmakers’ public remarks as evidence of what he called an intent to intimidate rather than legislate. According to The Guardian, it singled out comments by incoming lawmakers Richard Ojeda and Katy Padilla Stout, as well as Rep. Yassamin Ansari, and criticized Garcia’s “Lawyer Up” campaign.

Trump on Sunday accused Democrats of “extortion” and called for the Justice Department to examine their oversight plans, CBS News reported. “These SLEAZEBAGS should go to jail for what they are doing,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The dispute echoes an earlier fight over congressional subpoenas for Trump’s financial records. In 2020, the Supreme Court declined to give Congress immediate access to the records while reaffirming that subpoenas must have a legitimate legislative purpose and recognizing lawmakers’ “significant legislative interests,” CBS News reported.