Democrats Open 'Thorny Files' for Trump Administration

Democratic legislators in the US Congress are preparing to launch a wide-ranging series of investigations into President Donald Trump's administration following their victory in the midterm elections. The focus will be on allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest, violations by immigration agencies, US military operations, and the repercussions of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

According to a report by the French newspaper Le Monde, accountability will be the primary priority for the new Democratic-majority Congress, which begins its term next January. This follows two years of alleged transgressions by the Trump administration, which Republican officials reportedly overlooked.

The list of files includes investigating Trump's business activities and sources of wealth, international deals brokered by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as investments by his sons Don Jr. and Eric in cryptocurrencies, hotels, and drones in cooperation with the Department of Defense.

The agenda also covers the official aircraft provided by Qatar, potential quid pro quo involving presidential pardons, and donations from private groups to Trump projects, including the White House ballroom.

Potential investigations extend to practices by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during migrant pursuits, US strikes targeting suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean region, political purges within the federal government and military, and activities conducted by the Government Efficiency Office in state institutions.

The case of Jeffrey Epstein, convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019, occupies a prominent position among the proposed files.

Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that the abundance of files linked to administration officials makes prioritizing investigations difficult.

Anti-corruption unites Democrats

Despite internal disagreements within the Democratic Party regarding economic policy priorities, particularly healthcare, wages, and taxes on billionaires, anti-corruption appears to be a common ground across different factions.

Democrats face the challenge of balancing upcoming investigations with voter demands related to rising living costs, while avoiding turning Congressional work into daily political confrontation with the White House.

Concerns arise that the Trump administration may refuse to comply with subpoenas, potentially hindering investigations and turning them into legal disputes between the legislative and executive branches.

Vice President JD Vance said in an October television interview that he would definitely respond to any Congressional subpoena, affirming the administration's respect for the law.

The newspaper notes that the experience of the committee investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol breach serves as a lesson for Democrats; the committee documented attempts by Trump and allies to prevent certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, but hearings and the final report did not change the minds of Trump supporters, who viewed the investigations as political revenge.

Strategy to confront the administration

Preparation for investigations is led by Representatives Robert Garcia, candidate for chair of the House Oversight Committee, and Jamie Raskin, candidate for chair of the Judiciary Committee.

The two are working to coordinate a strategy covering four main files: Trump family activities, overreach by the Department of Homeland Security, relationships based on mutual interests between executives and the President, and the Epstein case.

Garcia stated that Democrats intend to act firmly to ensure accountability, leveraging public opinion and various tools available to Congress. He noted that the administration will be asked to answer inquiries, otherwise it may face contempt of Congress charges through civil procedures that could reach the courts.

However, investigations may face additional obstacles due to the stance of the Justice Department, headed by Todd Blanche, Trump's former lawyer. Blanche announced that the department would defend administration employees, adding that it would investigate and prosecute if corruption is proven.

In contrast, a poll published by the Financial Times on October 25 showed that about 69% of US voters, including nearly half of those who voted for Trump in the 2024 elections, expressed concern or serious concern about corruption and conflicts of interest within the administration.

Extended legal and political confrontation

Signs of confrontation have already begun to emerge, after White House Counsel Will Scharf sent a letter to Robert Garcia on November 9, warning against misuse of the legislative process by Democratic lawmakers and threatening investigations into members of Congress involved in these moves.

In a message posted by Trump on Truth Social, the President accused Democrats of practicing political extortion and urged his former lawyer Todd Blanche to consider taking legal action in response to what he described as threats directed at Republicans, donors, and business leaders.

Democratic Representative Jasmine Ansari stated that the volume of corruption-related files over the past two years requires more than ten or fifteen investigations, noting that the new majority in both the House and Senate will allow for increased parliamentary committee teams.

But Ansari warned against reducing accountability efforts to the next two years, considering that investigating the Epstein case may take a long time, and identifying those responsible for participating in or facilitating his crimes requires continued work, while criminal prosecutions remain tied to having a Democratic administration ready to make them a priority.

The relationship between Congress and the White House is expected to turn into an extended legal and political confrontation, especially given Trump's reliance on the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling on presidential immunity for official acts.