The Trump administration has a message for congressional Democrats: back off the investigations, or else. In a Monday letter to Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), White House Counsel William O. Scharf accused Democrats of planning to use congressional investigations to "harass, threaten, and deter" administration officials from public service.
Scharf didn't mince words. He cited Garcia's "LAWYER UP" campaign and the congressman's comments about working with state attorneys general to gather information and take administration officials "through the court systems" for prosecution. He also flagged remarks from other Democrats, including Rep. Yassamin Ansari's (D-Ariz.) vow to "prosecute every single person" affiliated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Threats to executive branch officials designed to deter them from public service, or process designed merely to abuse or instill fear in the recipient may cross the line into blatant criminality," Scharf wrote. He added that the administration "will not be extorted and will not be cowed by unlawful process."
Garcia Rejects White House Warning
On Wednesday, Garcia rejected the White House's warning in a statement, saying, "It appears Donald Trump has something to hide." He defended Congress' constitutional authority to investigate the administration, arguing that its oversight powers do not require White House permission.
"The Trump Administration continues to weaponize the government with threats of unconstitutional attacks on Congress," Garcia said, adding that Democrats "will not be deterred by baseless threats" from the Justice Department or Trump's lawyers.
Blanche Backs Miller Against Garcia's Warning
Last week, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche pushed back after Garcia urged Trump administration officials to "lawyer up" ahead of Democratic investigations into alleged corruption involving Trump's family, cryptocurrency ventures, Pentagon contracts and ICE. Responding to Garcia's warning about Stephen Miller, recently promoted to White House chief of staff, Blanche said, "Stephen Miller has a lawyer. It's me and the entire Department of Justice."
Democrats Weighed Corporate and Trump Probes
Earlier this month, senior Democrats reviewed a dossier identifying hundreds of companies as potential investigation targets, with proposed probes focusing on corporate misconduct, excessive fees and rising prices. Groundwork's Alex Jacquez urged Democrats to prioritize household budgets, saying, "We need to be laser-focused."
Separately, Trump's crypto ventures, stock trading and White House ballroom funding could face congressional investigations under Democratic control.
