White House warns Democrats against Trump administration probes, says 'it will not be extorted'

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House has reportedly warned Democrats against launching investigations into President Donald Trump’s administration when they take control of Congress in January next year, arguing that threatened subpoenas could violate constitutional limits on congressional oversight.

In a letter to incoming House Oversight Committee Chairman Robert Garcia, White House Counsel Will Scharf said the administration would resist investigations intended to intimidate officials rather than serve legitimate legislative purposes.

White House warns Democrats over Trump investigations

In the letter to Garcia, a California Democrat, Will Scharf outlined what he described as the constitutional limits on congressional investigations.

He argued that subpoenas must be issued for legitimate legislative purposes and not used as a means of pursuing criminal persecution or intimidating executive branch officials.

“The administration will not be extorted and will not be cowed,” Scharf wrote.

The White House counsel accused Democrats of publicly threatening to issue subpoenas indiscriminately, arguing that their statements suggested planned investigations could be used to harass administration officials.

The letter, obtained by Punchbowl News, said congressional Democrats had indicated that they intended to use subpoenas to “harass, threaten and deter” officials from carrying out their responsibilities.

“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,” Scharf wrote.

“And issuing unlawful subpoenas with the intention of depriving citizens of their constitutional rights and privileges may warrant further investigation.”

Scharf also said the administration would not be intimidated by what he described as unlawful investigative procedures motivated by personal or political hostility.

The letter is sent after Garcia’s warning to administration officials right on the election night, when he posted a two-word message online stating “Lawyer up.”

Responding to Scharf, Garcia defended Congress's investigative authority, saying the Constitution provides lawmakers with “wide latitude” to conduct oversight.

“We are a co-equal branch of government and will not be deterred by baseless threats from a weaponized DOJ or from the President’s lawyers,” he said.

Democrats plan subpoenas targeting Trump administration officials

Several Democrats have indicated that they intend to investigate the administration over what they describe as executive overreach, including Trump's use of presidential authority on immigration and the war with Iran.

Rep Analilia Mejia (D-NJ) signaled the scale of the planned investigations, saying, “we’re going to toss out subpoenas like Mardi Gras beads,” while Rep Delia Ramirez (D-Ill) warned administration officials to “clear your schedule.”

Among those Democrats have identified as potential witnesses are former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, current DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Border Czar Tom Homan, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Trump, members of his family, and officials across the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement could also face scrutiny.