Rep. Robert Garcia, the California Democrat who will lead the powerful House Oversight Committee, released a video Friday doubling down on his warnings to President Donald Trump and his allies and promising a thorough investigation into the administration.
“Watch Democrats are ready to take on the fraudsters, fraudsters, and the Trump crime family. Get a lawyer,” the California Democratic Party wrote to X.
“The American people are speaking out, we are tired of the unprecedented level of corruption that is rampant in this White House and under President Trump,” Garcia said in the video, which ended with the words “Lawyers, stand up” splashed across the screen.
The warning came three days after Democrats won a landslide victory in the midterm elections and took control of the House of Representatives. When a new Congress convenes in January, Democrats will take control of the committee’s subpoena power, allowing them to compel testimony and obtain documents in an investigation that could target President Trump, his family and his allies.
Garcia said the committee will investigate possible corruption involving the Trump family’s business dealings, cryptocurrency ventures and contracts with the Department of Defense, as well as possible misconduct by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also vowed to scrutinize anyone who claimed to have ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Oversight Democrats will absolutely ensure that we investigate each and every one of these cases,” Garcia said. “Now let’s get to work.”
Mr. Garcia’s approach could contradict what some advisers are telling Democrats to pursue the interests of corporations rather than President Trump and his family.
Garcia, currently the committee’s top Democrat, formally launched his candidacy for chairman on Thursday. He is widely expected to secure the position.
The White House has dismissed the investigation planned by Democrats as politically motivated, potentially setting off a 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.
