White House counsel Will Scharf has issued a stark warning to Democratic lawmakers, asserting that planned congressional investigations into the Trump administration could constitute “blatant criminality.” The letter, dated Monday, was sent to Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, who is expected to chair the panel in the new Democratic-controlled Congress seated in January. The existence of the letter was first reported by Punchbowl News.
In the correspondence, Scharf argued that actions taken by Congress could cross legal boundaries if they are intended to intimidate government officials. “Threats to executive branch officials designed to deter them from public service, or process designed merely to abuse or instill fear in the recipient may cross the line into blatant criminality,” Scharf wrote. This warning comes after Garcia previously advised Trump officials to “lawyer up” following the Democrats’ victories in last week’s midterm elections.
Rep. Garcia responded to the White House counsel’s letter by rejecting the notion that congressional oversight requires executive approval. “It appears Donald Trump has something to hide,” Garcia said, emphasizing that the legislative branch’s investigative powers are inherent and do not need the “permission of the White House.” He added, “Congress has wide latitude to conduct investigations and oversight, an authority inherent in the power to legislate. The American people voted overwhelmingly for us to pass laws to root out corruption and abuse.”
The Democratic-led oversight agenda is expected to be extensive, focusing on several key areas of the administration’s conduct. Planned inquiries include how President Trump and his family have increased their wealth since he returned to office, a claim the president and his White House have consistently denied. Additional targets for investigation include the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the construction of the White House ballroom, and the Trump family’s involvement in mineral deals and cryptocurrency transactions with special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the tension in a CNN interview that aired Sunday, suggesting that “there could be” a crime to investigate if Democratic rhetoric became threatening. However, Blanche adopted a more conciliatory tone during a subsequent appearance in Missouri, reaffirming the Department of Justice’s commitment to cooperation. “Congress has oversight authority. It always has, it always will,” Blanche stated. “The Department of Justice, the federal government, works with Congress to address questions they have — whether it’s through subpoenas or letters — so we’re not going to stop working with Congress.”
Blanche further clarified his stance, noting that “nothing I’ve said this weekend, or in the past, should suggest otherwise.” The exchange highlights the growing friction between the executive and legislative branches as the new Congress prepares to assert its oversight functions.
<small>Source: Yahoo News — read the original story there.</small>
