Democrats in both chambers of Congress are plotting potential investigations into companies, colleges, and even law firms that worked with the Trump administration. Democrats are in the early stages of planning to use their subpoena power if they take power after the 2026 midterm elections. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), all of whom serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, have been involved in the preliminary discussions. Schiff led the first impeachment effort against President Donald Trump as Democrats falsely alleged that the president colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election cycle. Both Republican and Democrat lawmakers believe that the House is likely to come under control of the Democrat Party after the midterms. The House has broader subpoena authority than the Senate.
While Democrats expect the Trump administration to fight back against investigations, companies, colleges, and other private citizens do not have the same institutional power to fight back against the Democrats’ potential investigations. Democrats would likely investigate why major institutions chose to work with the Trump administration. Also, they would likely choose to investigate donations for the East Wing renovation as well as funding agreements involving institutions of higher education.
