WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has issued a warning to Democrats about their planned investigations into the Trump administration, going so far as to say such probes — a standard oversight function of Congress — could amount to “egregious criminality.”
White House counsel Will Scharf issued the warning in a letter dated Monday to Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.
WATCH: Rep. Garcia says voters gave Democrats mandate to demand accountability
Garcia would most likely chair the powerful panel in the new Democratic-controlled Congress that will sit in January. Garcia warned Trump officials to “hire a lawyer” after his party’s resounding victories in last week’s midterm elections.
Support free and independent journalism. Join the PBS News Press Pass
In response, Scharf wrote in Monday’s letter that “threats against executive branch officials intended to deter them from public service, or processes intended simply to abuse or instill fear in the recipient may cross the line into blatant criminality.” The existence of the letter was first reported by Punchbowl News.
Garcia said in response to the letter that “it appears Donald Trump has something to hide” and stressed that Congress’ investigative powers did not need “authorization from the White House.”
“Congress has broad latitude to conduct investigations and oversight, an authority inherent in the power to legislate,” Garcia said. “The American people voted overwhelmingly for us to pass laws to root out corruption and abuse.”
Democrats are preparing a massive surveillance program to examine how Trump and his family have become wealthier since returning to power. The Republican president and his White House have long denied any wrongdoing.
Garcia also wants to examine the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Other targets include Trump’s White House ballroom and other construction projects, as well as the Trump family’s role in mining deals and Trump’s crypto dealings with special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a CNN interview broadcast Sunday that “there could be” a crime to investigate if Democrats’ rhetoric becomes threatening. He appeared to strike a more conciliatory tone during an appearance in Missouri this week, saying, “Congress has oversight power.
“Nothing I said this weekend, or in the past, should suggest otherwise,” he added.
Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed.
A free press is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue.
Gn headline
