Rep. Robert Garcia, the California Democrat poised to lead the powerful House Oversight Committee, doubled down on his warning to President Donald Trump and his allies Friday, releasing a video promising sweeping investigations into the administration.
“Oversight Democrats are ready to take on the crooks, the con men and the Trump crime family. Lawyer up,” the California Democrat wrote on X.
“The American people have spoken, and they are tired of the unprecedented level of corruption coming out of this White House and under President Trump,” Garcia said in the video, which ends with the words “LAWYER UP” splashed across the screen.
The warning comes three days after Democrats’ sweeping midterm victories handed them control of the House. When the new Congress convenes in January, Democrats will gain control of the committee’s subpoena power, allowing them to compel testimony and obtain documents in investigations that could target Trump, his family and his allies.
Garcia said the committee would investigate what he described as potential corruption involving the Trump family’s business dealings, cryptocurrency ventures and Pentagon contracts, as well as alleged abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also vowed to scrutinize individuals he said were connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Oversight Democrats are absolutely going to ensure that we investigate every single one of these instances,” Garcia said. “Now let’s get to work.”
Garcia’s approach may conflict with what some advisors are telling Democrats — to go after corporate interests rather than Trump and his family.
Garcia, currently the committee’s top Democrat, formally launched his bid to become chairman Thursday. He is widely expected to secure the position.
The White House has dismissed Democrats’ planned investigations as politically motivated, setting up a potentially contentious showdown between the Trump administration and the incoming Democratic congressional majority.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
