White House warns Democrats investigations could be “criminal”

The White House has warned Democratic lawmakers that planned congressional probes into the Trump administration could amount to “blatant criminality,” White House counsel Will Scharf wrote in a letter dated Monday.

The letter was addressed to Rep. Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, who is expected to chair the panel when the Democratic‑controlled Congress convenes in January. Garcia responded that the president “has something to hide” and stressed that Congress does not need the White House’s permission to exercise its investigative powers.

Garcia said Democrats will pursue a broad oversight agenda, including scrutiny of how former President Donald Trump and his family have increased their wealth since leaving office, the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, White House construction projects, mineral deals and crypto transactions involving special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Attorney General Todd Blanche told CNN that “there could be” a crime if Democratic rhetoric becomes threatening, but also affirmed that the Department of Justice will continue to work with Congress on subpoenas and letters.

Some Republican lawmakers cautioned against overreach. Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie warned Democrats not to waste their new powers on “stupid things,” while Rep. Mark DeSaulnier said he would not be deterred by White House warnings.

Source: ABC News. Photo: david hou / Pexels.