House Republicans Prepare for Democrat Investigations as Power Shift Looms

House Republican leadership is preparing lawmakers for an aggressive round of congressional investigations after Democrats take control of the chamber, with Majority Leader Steve Scalise urging committee chairs to begin preparing for what he expects will be a politically charged fight.

According to Fox News, in a Thursday letter to Republican committee chairs, Scalise warned that Democrats intend to use their investigative powers to target President Donald Trump, his family, Cabinet members and conservative allies.

"House Democrats have signaled they intend to impeach President Trump, but they will not stop there," Scalise wrote. He accused Democrats of planning to use congressional oversight to pursue political attacks against the administration.

Scalise outlined three priorities for Republican lawmakers: documenting investigations Democrats have already pursued, identifying potential targets for future probes and examining legal protections that could help the GOP respond.

He specifically pointed to recent Supreme Court decisions and a Department of Justice memo concerning executive privilege as areas that could become important during the coming investigations.

Potential targets could include administration officials, government programs, executive authorities, conservative organizations and business leaders, according to Scalise.

He also promised that his staff would work directly with committee members to coordinate preparations and identify additional resources needed to respond.

Democrats have already offered a glimpse of their plans. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., who is expected to become chairman of the House Oversight Committee, posted a blunt two-word message Tuesday night after Democrats were projected to win the chamber: "Lawyer up."

Garcia has indicated that his committee intends to investigate what he has called the Trump family's corruption, along with alleged misconduct involving corporations, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee have also signaled interest in investigating DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

House Judiciary Committee Democrats responded dismissively to Scalise's warning, accusing Republicans of protecting the administration from accountability. A committee spokeswoman said the incoming majority would end what she described as a Republican cover-up.

The political preparations come as Scalise begins his campaign to become House minority leader in the next Congress. He faces a challenge from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for the leadership position.