Trump’s White House calls Democratic plans for congressional probes ‘abuse’

What the report says

The Trump White House has accused incoming Democratic lawmakers of planning to misuse congressional oversight powers, escalating a partisan clash over investigations that may begin when the new Congress takes office in January. According to Al Jazeera, the administration sent a letter on Monday to Representative Robert Garcia of California, who is expected to lead the House Oversight Committee in the next Democratic-majority House, and made the letter public on Wednesday.

White House lawyer William Scharf argued that comments from Garcia and other Democrats suggested they intended to go beyond the constitutional limits of congressional probes. He said lawmakers were trying to intrude on functions reserved for the executive branch and judiciary, and warned that threats or intimidation directed at executive officials could cross legal lines. The letter did not say what the White House might do if Democrats proceed with subpoenas or hearings.

Garcia rejected the accusation, saying Congress has broad authority to investigate and oversee the executive branch. He described the letter as an unconstitutional attack on the legislative branch and accused the Trump administration of using the government against its opponents. The dispute comes as Democrats prepare to use their new majorities to launch inquiries into Trump officials.

Al Jazeera reported that those plans could include subpoenas connected to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and possible scrutiny of Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. House Democrats recently failed to advance an impeachment effort against Hegseth, though it could return under the new majority.