White House counsel Will Scharf sent a letter to Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, warning that planned congressional investigations into the Trump administration may amount to “blatant criminality.” The letter, dated Monday, was a direct response to Garcia’s earlier warning to Trump officials to “lawyer up” after the party’s recent midterm victories.
In the letter, Scharf wrote that “threats to executive branch officials designed to deter them from public service, or process designed merely to abuse or instill fear in the recipient may cross the line into blatant criminality.” Garcia, who is expected to chair the Oversight Committee in the incoming Democratic‑controlled Congress, said the warning suggests “it appears Donald Trump has something to hide.”
Garcia emphasized that Congress does not need the White House’s permission to investigate, stating, “Congress has wide latitude to conduct investigations and oversight, an authority inherent in the power to legislate.” He added that the legislative branch’s oversight role is essential to checking power.
He concluded, “The American people voted overwhelmingly for us to pass laws to root out corruption and abuse,” underscoring the mandate to pursue accountability regardless of executive objections.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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