House Democrats are outlining a sweeping oversight agenda that would probe President Donald Trump, his family and the administration if the party gains a majority in the chamber in November. The plan includes investigations across several committees, the use of subpoenas and the possibility of new impeachment articles.
“There is a cost to the American people of the out‑of‑control corruption,” said Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who is expected to become Speaker if Democrats win. “If folks have been stealing from the American people, short‑changing the American people or screwing over the American people, we are going to hold the crooks accountable.” With majority power comes larger budgets and staff, giving Congress the tools to investigate, subpoena and potentially correct what Democrats say are widespread abuses of power.
Investigations would cover a wide range of issues. Democrats are asking about the Trump family’s money‑making since he returned to the White House in January 2025, potential civil‑rights violations in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, the closing of the Kennedy Center, private funding of the America at 250 celebrations and the shuttering of federal agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development. New revelations include a weekend wedding party for Donald Trump Jr. that was partly funded by a Russian oligarch with ties to the Kremlin.
Committee leaders already have priorities. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the likely Judiciary Committee chair, called the issues “gargantuan” and said the focus must be “on the forms of systemic corruption that have cost the public huge amounts of money.” Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on Oversight and Government Reform, listed Trump family business dealings, the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and ICE operations as key areas. Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on Foreign Affairs, plans to investigate Trump’s international dealings, including the Iran war and U.S. operations in Venezuela. Rep. Jared Huffman of California, the ranking Democrat on Natural Resources, is looking into Trump’s “vanity projects” such as the demolition of the White House’s East wing and the president’s proposed arch, as well as mineral deals involving the family.
Impeachment remains on the table. Trump was twice impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate; a third impeachment may not carry the same weight, so Democrats may focus on cabinet members. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth already faces impeachment articles from Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky over Pentagon leadership and the Iran war.
Jeffries said the tools available to Congress are not yet decided. “We haven’t ruled anything out,” he told the AP, and “we haven’t ruled anything in.” The White House is expected to play hardball if confronted with investigations, potentially ignoring subpoenas or refusing to turn over paperwork. Democrats are also looking beyond the administration to corporate and business entities for possible wrongdoing.
As the midterm campaign season begins, ranking Democrats are charting the investigations they plan to tackle. “When people ask what we will do,” Huffman said, “my answer is simple. We’ll use those tools.” The next Congress could therefore see a broad, coordinated effort to scrutinise the Trump administration and its allies.
<small>Source: Yahoo News — read the original story there.</small>