White House Threatens Criminal Action Against House Oversight Plans
Incoming committee chair Robert Garcia says Democrats will proceed with probes of the Trump administration despite warnings from White House counsel Will Scharf.
By Mia Bennett ·
White House counsel Will Scharf accused Democratic lawmakers of issuing threats that could amount to criminal conduct, warning that the incoming House Oversight Committee should expect legal scrutiny if it moves forward with investigations of the current administration.
In a letter dated Monday and released Wednesday, Scharf described the proposed probes as abusive and capricious. He stated that efforts to intimidate executive branch officials through congressional proceedings could cross into blatant criminality.
Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who is set to chair the Oversight Committee in January, responded to the warning on Thursday. Speaking on NPR's Morning Edition, Garcia said the Democratic majority would not be deterred or intimidated by President Donald Trump or other administration officials.
Garcia identified several priority targets for the new committee. He cited a $2 billion Saudi investment in a firm led by Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, as a top area of interest regarding alleged corruption. He also pointed to reported pay-to-play schemes involving former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Department of Homeland Security adviser Corey Lewandowski.
The committee chair said the group's mandate includes investigating these matters, taking issues to the courts, making criminal referrals, and drafting legislation to prevent future corruption. He emphasized that the role of the committee is to act on these findings.
Garcia also stated that Democrats will continue to pursue the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He accused Hegseth of overseeing civilian killings at sea, misappropriating funds, and launching illegal wars. Garcia expressed the view that the impeachment process is not yet concluded.
This exchange follows a series of statements from the administration, including President Trump's calls for Democratic lawmakers to face jail time and Attorney General Todd Blanche's refusal to rule out investigations or prosecutions. The White House letter serves as a formal legal warning ahead of the shift in House leadership scheduled for next month.
