Dems Consider Probes Into Companies, Law Firms That Worked With Trump
Democrats on Capitol Hill are quietly laying the groundwork for a sweeping round of investigations should they regain congressional power after the 2026 midterm elections — with early discussions reportedly targeting companies, universities, and law firms that worked with the administration of President Donald J. Trump.
According to a report from Axios, Democratic lawmakers have begun exploring how they might deploy congressional subpoena power if they retake control of either chamber. The potential oversight effort would focus on institutions that cooperated with the Trump administration — a move critics say could amount to political retaliation against private entities that chose to work with the White House.
The discussions come despite Democrats’ repeated claims that the justice system is being “weaponized,” even though the Department of Justice under former President Joe Biden pursued criminal charges against Trump during the previous administration.
Senate Democrats Exploring Strategy
Several prominent Senate Democrats have reportedly taken part in early conversations about a potential investigative strategy.
Those discussions include participation from Adam Schiff, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Richard Blumenthal.
All three lawmakers currently serve on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees the Justice Department and frequently leads major congressional investigations.
Schiff, a longtime Trump critic, previously spearheaded the first impeachment effort against President Trump during his first term in office — a probe centered on allegations tied to the 2016 election cycle.
House Control Could Expand Investigative Powers
Lawmakers from both parties reportedly believe Democrats have a strong chance of reclaiming the House of Representatives in the 2026 elections.
If that occurs, Democrats would gain broad investigative authority through the House’s extensive subpoena powers, allowing committees to compel testimony and demand documents from corporations, universities, and other institutions.
Axios reported that Democratic lawmakers are discussing inquiries into why certain private organizations chose to collaborate with the Trump administration.
Potential targets could include major corporations, universities, and legal firms that conducted work or maintained relationships with the White House.
Financial Questions Also Raised
Some of the early conversations have reportedly focused on financial matters involving the administration.
Those include donations tied to a renovation project connected to the East Wing of the White House, as well as financial agreements between the administration and various universities.
Details about the scope of those possible investigations remain unclear.
A spokesperson for Schiff said the senator has already submitted multiple Freedom of Information Act requests connected to issues from the Trump era.
According to the spokesperson, the requests cover 12 different areas of inquiry, including financial records linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and questions about reports that Trump accepted a plane from the government of Qatar.
Fundraising and Corporate Scrutiny
Democratic lawmakers have also raised questions about fundraising efforts connected to the administration.
Those inquiries reportedly include lobbyists and political fundraisers who were seeking donations from corporations and wealthy donors for projects linked to the White House.
One proposal reportedly involved fundraising for a ballroom connected to the president — a project that some Democrats have cited while raising concerns about the administration’s financial activities.
Calls for Corporate and Media Investigations
Some Democrats are also discussing broader investigations into major corporations, including potential antitrust actions.
Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, criticized Trump’s financial dealings during his presidency.
“The cardinal, original sin of Trump was to decide that he was going to use the presidency as a profit-making enterprise in his first term,” Raskin said. “Congress should have impeached him for receiving millions and millions of dollars from foreign governments,” Raskin said.
Some Democrats have also suggested that large media corporations could face scrutiny if their party regains power.
Chris Murphy hinted that media consolidation might become a target for future investigations.
“Paramount should enjoy its growing news monopoly while they have it,” Murphy said. “When Democrats win back power we are going to break up these anti-democratic information conglomerates,” Murphy said.
Meanwhile, Pramila Jayapal suggested Democrats might focus on a smaller number of corporations rather than launching sweeping investigations across dozens of companies.
“I don’t think you can do like 100 companies but I think you can do three and start with that,” Jayapal said. “You can’t do everything, but you’ve got to pick a few of the worst and focus there.”
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the early discussions signal that congressional oversight — and the political battles surrounding it — could once again take center stage in Washington if the balance of power shifts on Capitol Hill.