Democratic control of the US House of Representatives is set to trigger a series of investigations into Donald Trump, his family and his administration during the final two years of his second term.
House committees will change hands in January, giving Democrats the power to demand documents and launch inquiries. Robert Garcia, the California congressman expected to chair the Oversight Committee, has warned Republicans to “lawyer up”.
Democrats have pledged to examine the business interests of Mr Trump, his sons Don Jr and Eric, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Areas of interest include family cryptocurrency ventures, Don Jr’s venture capital firm and the acceptance of a Qatari jet for use as Air Force One.
A Democratic congressional official said matters involving the Trump family would be examined “on day one”, alongside alleged corporate corruption, the conduct of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the continuing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Investigations into Trump family dealings
Jamie Raskin, who is expected to chair the powerful Judiciary Committee, has described the planned pursuit of the Trump family as “gargantuan”. He has highlighted a cryptocurrency deal said to have generated $1.4 billion, as well as Don Jr’s business activities.
Don Jr’s firm has accused Mr Raskin of “political gamesmanship” and a “troubling lack of financial literacy”.
Mr Garcia is also expected to investigate ICE operations, alleged corporate corruption and the administration’s handling of the Epstein files. He wants public hearings and may seek evidence from current and former officials including chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Elon Musk could also face scrutiny over his businesses and his role in DOGE. Mr Trump has said he would issue pre-emptive pardons to “protect” Mr Musk and aides who might be targeted.
Democrats could attempt to call members of the President’s family as witnesses, although their ability to force them to appear is uncertain. Failure to comply with a congressional subpoena can be referred as criminal contempt of Congress, but federal charges would have to be brought by the Justice Department, which remains under Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The investigations may therefore face legal obstacles, but they are expected to generate damaging publicity, consume the time of the administration and its allies, and dominate political debate during the remainder of Mr Trump’s term.
White House projects and a possible impeachment battle
The House Natural Resources Committee is also expected to investigate funding for the White House ballroom, Mr Trump’s proposed triumphal arch and work to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Democrats will have the power to investigate and hold hearings, but any attempt to impeach Mr Trump would face a difficult path. The House impeached him twice during his first term, but he was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions, where a two-thirds majority is needed for conviction.
Although Democrats have secured more than the 51 seats needed for a majority, they would still require Republican senators to support an impeachment effort. Hakeem Jeffries has said that no option has been ruled out, while newly elected Ohio senator Sherrod Brown said he would not support impeaching Mr Trump “no matter what happens in the midterms”.
Democrats could instead target members of the Cabinet. Pete Hegseth has been identified by some on the left as a possible subject of impeachment over the war in Iran.
The White House has dismissed the planned inquiries as an attempt to “obstruct and baselessly target” the President.
Gridlock, spending fights and executive action
Democrats will be able to block Mr Trump’s proposals in the House and advance their own priorities, including healthcare measures and restrictions on artificial intelligence data centres. The President, however, retains the power to veto legislation.
Mr Trump said before the midterm vote that he would become “Mr Veto”, arguing that Democrats would eventually have to negotiate with him. After it became clear that they were set to take control, he said: “I have a right to veto everything, but I don’t want to just sit there and veto everything for two years. We’re going to work with the Democrats. They’ve already called.”
Congress controls federal spending, meaning Democrats will be able to apply pressure through funding disputes. A major confrontation is expected next year over raising the debt ceiling, with the possibility of government shutdowns.
White House officials including Mr Miller and Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, have been preparing executive orders to advance Mr Trump’s agenda if the House changes hands. Possible measures include tougher restrictions on temporary foreign workers and international student visas, tariffs on critical minerals and wind turbines, and attempts to reduce construction costs.
Some of those measures could be financed through money already allocated to federal agencies. Others are likely to face legal challenges, with judges able to block executive orders that exceed presidential authority.
The Democrats’ control of the Senate will create a further obstacle by giving them the chance to block Cabinet nominees, other executive appointments and federal judges. If a vacancy arises on the Supreme Court, they are expected to try to delay a replacement until after the 2028 election.
