Scalise tells House GOP to ‘take inventory’ of expected Democratic probes after midterm losses
WASHINGTON, DC: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise urged Republican committee chairs on Thursday, November 5, to prepare for investigations Democrats are expected to launch when they take control of the House next year. He asked them to identify potential targets across President Donald Trump's administration and its allies.
In a letter, Scalise called on Republicans to begin "taking inventory" of Democratic investigative efforts and use their remaining time in the majority to prepare for the incoming oversight agenda.
Scalise asks GOP committee chairs to identify potential Democratic investigation targets
In the letter, Scalise warned that Democrats would use their oversight powers to investigate Trump, his family, Cabinet officials and administration allies. He said Democrats had indicated they intended to pursue impeachment proceedings against the president and would use their committee authority to launch other investigations.
"Although they ran on affordability, it is clear the main focus of their new majority will be retribution and unleashing countless witch hunts under the guise of ‘oversight,’" Scalise wrote.
BREAKING: @FoxNews has obtained a letter sent today by GOP House Majority Leader Steve Scalise to all House GOP committee Chairmen with recommendations on how best to use their remaining days in power to prepare for upcoming House Democrat investigations and "retribution". "You all will be a key line of defense in this fight", Scalise writes. Recommendations include: “Identifying administration officials, programs and authorities, and external allies, including conservative partners and industry leaders likely on their target list” and considering how recent SCOTUS decisions will affect oversight moving forward. Letter 👇🏻
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 5, 2026
In a letter obtained by Fox News, Scalise urged committee chairs to "maximize our remaining days in power" and prepare for the expected investigations. His recommendations included reviewing investigations Democrats had already launched while in the minority, identifying potential probes they could pursue once they controlled committees, and compiling a list of possible targets.
Those targets could include "administration officials, programs and authorities, and external allies, including conservative partners and industry leaders," Scalise wrote.
The letter also asked committee chairs to assess how recent Supreme Court rulings and a Department of Justice memo on executive privilege could affect future investigations. Scalise said his staff would meet with the relevant committees to discuss preparations and invited lawmakers to request additional support.
LAWYER UP.
— Congressman Robert Garcia (@RepRobertGarcia) November 4, 2026
Democrats have already signalled plans to investigate several areas of the Trump administration. Rep. Robert Garcia, who is expected to lead the House Oversight Committee, posted "Lawyer up" after Democrats were projected to win the House.
Democrats criticise Scalise's letter as House GOP leadership contest intensifies
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee criticised Scalise's request, arguing that it reflected Republican efforts to shield the administration from congressional scrutiny.
"Sounds like Rep. Scalise is asking his fellow Republicans to compile a list of all the corruption, lawlessness, and abuse they've been protecting from congressional oversight. But the people have spoken and the cover-up expires with the Republican majority. The days of invertebrate congressional submission are over," a spokeswoman for the panel said.
Incoming House Judiciary Chair @RepRaskin when asked about possible investigations says he's written 200+ letters. "Go back and read my letters. It's a pretty good trail of crumbs of what we're going to do." https://t.co/ehPEroZhNb
— Anthony Adragna (@AnthonyAdragna) November 5, 2026
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, also pointed to the investigative work Democrats had already undertaken. He said he had sent more than 200 letters outlining his areas of interest.
"Go back and read my letters. It’s a pretty good trail of crumbs of what we’re going to do," Raskin said at a Center for American Progress event on Thursday, November 5.
The preparations come as Republicans face uncertainty over who will lead key committees in the next Congress. Rep. Jim Jordan, who has chaired the House Judiciary Committee, has reached his term limit for the position and is seeking the House minority leader role.
🚨JUST ANNOUNCED🚨 Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced his bid for House Minority Leader in a letter just released. Scalise is calling for unity, strategic disruption of Democrats’ agenda via procedural tools, and continued conservative legislative wins on issues like appropriations, healthcare, immigration, and superintelligence.
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) November 4, 2026
Jordan has argued that his experience handling investigations makes him better suited to lead Republicans against Democratic oversight efforts. In a letter to colleagues, he described himself as "battle-tested on the oversight front."
Scalise also launched his bid for House minority leader on Wednesday, November 4, a day before sending the letter. His campaign message called for party unity, strategic use of procedural tools to challenge the Democratic agenda, and continued conservative legislative priorities.
