Dems Are Preparing Investigations Into Trump Family Business Dealings, ICE Operations, the Epstein Investigation and Foreign Policy If They Win Control of the House
House Democrats are preparing an expansive oversight agenda targeting President Donald Trump, his family and members of his administration if the party wins control of the House in November’s midterm elections. Impeachment — of Trump or administration officials — has not been ruled out.
Democratic leaders say reclaiming the House majority would give committees greater staffing, budgets and subpoena authority, allowing lawmakers to significantly expand investigations they have already begun while in the minority.
“There is a cost to the American people of the out-of-control corruption,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said.
“If folks have been stealing from the American people, shortchanging the American people or screwing over the American people,” Jeffries added, “we are going to hold the crooks accountable.”
The push would come as Democrats also prepare a broader legislative agenda centered on affordability and government accountability if voters return them to power. Recent reporting shows Jeffries has framed oversight of the Trump administration as one of the party’s priorities alongside economic legislation.
Trump Family Business, ICE And Epstein Among Priorities
Several House committees are already outlining where their investigations could lead.
Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has identified several potential areas of investigation, including Trump family business dealings, the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Democrats have also raised questions about potential civil rights violations tied to immigration enforcement, deportations, the Trump family’s financial interests, the shutdown of federal operations and changes involving the Kennedy Center.
Questions surrounding Trump family business relationships have received additional attention after Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah called for a Senate investigation into Donald Trump Jr.’s business dealings following reports that Russian businessman Umar Kremlev helped finance portions of Trump Jr.’s recent wedding celebration.
Impeachment Remains On The Table
Democrats have stopped short of committing to another impeachment of Trump.
“We haven’t ruled anything out,” Jeffries said about the tools Congress could use, “and we haven’t ruled anything in.”
Trump became the first U.S. president to be impeached twice during his first term. He was acquitted by the Senate both times.
Any future impeachment effort could also focus on members of Trump’s Cabinet. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is already facing articles of impeachment introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky over Hegseth’s leadership of the Pentagon and handling of the Iran war.
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Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who could chair the House Judiciary Committee under a Democratic majority, said lawmakers would need to determine which investigations should receive immediate attention.
“We need to zero in quickly on the forms of systemic corruption that have cost the public huge amounts of money,” Raskin said, “and where there are legislative cures available.”
Committees Prepare For A Possible Power Shift
Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats are also preparing to examine the Trump administration’s international dealings, including its actions involving Iran and Venezuela.
Rep. Jared Huffman of California, the ranking Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, has said his committee would use congressional investigative powers to call witnesses, place them under oath and follow evidence uncovered through its inquiries.
Whether those plans become reality depends first on the November elections and which party controls the House when the next Congress begins.
For Democrats, however, much of the groundwork is already being laid.
“We’ll use those tools,” Huffman said. “We’ll act like the Congress.”
