Democrats to Prioritise Financial Inquiries into Trump’s Business Network Over Impeachment
Four informed sources told Reuters that US House Democrats are drafting a strategy to expand investigations into companies and financial institutions linked to Donald Trump, a strategy that does not place immediate presidential impeachment as its top priority. According to the report, Democratic leaders and committee staff have discussed using hearings, subpoenas and document requests to examine the records of entities connected to Trump's political and business network. The aim of these inquiries is stated to be the examination of administration decisions and the potential use of the presidency for personal gain, or to benefit his allies and financial backers. A senior Democratic aide, speaking anonymously, said: "Our goal is not to launch impeachment proceedings. No one wants a failed vote on day one. The focus is on gathering a body of evidence through investigations that can hold Trump accountable." Democrats say impeachment remains a possible option, but only if investigations yield evidence of impeachable offences. Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives, and polls suggest Democrats are likely to retake the majority in the November midterms. A Democratic victory would allow them to issue subpoenas, call witnesses to testify and provide documents, hold public hearings and pursue contempt of court proceedings in the event of non-compliance. Sources said Democrats expect the White House to reject or ignore executive branch oversight requests; therefore, companies, contractors and financial institutions doing business with the government could serve as an important route to obtaining information. The names of companies such as Apple, Alphabet, Palantir, Blackstone, BlackRock and firms owned by Elon Musk, including Tesla, have been raised in preliminary discussions. A final list of targets has not yet been determined, and formal investigations have not begun. Two sources said reviewing Department of Homeland Security contracts, funding sources for a ballroom Trump intends to build at the White House, and donor companies are on the potential agenda. They also reported the scrutiny of financial institutions linked to Trump, including the investment firm 1789 Capital, in which Donald Trump Jr is involved, and foreign sovereign wealth fund investments in entities linked to the Trump family. According to the sources, Democrats are already laying the groundwork for potential investigations by sending letters to companies and contractors. These letters include requests for information from media company Paramount Skydance regarding its interactions with the Trump administration and a proposed deal with Warner Bros Discovery, as well as from YouTube and its parent company Alphabet concerning a $24.5 million agreement with Trump in September. GEO Group and Salus Worldwide Solutions have also been targeted with requests for information regarding their contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, and trading companies Vitol and Trafigura over the administration's sale of Venezuelan oil. Robert Garcia, a Democratic representative for California, and Jamie Raskin, a Democratic representative for Maryland and senior Democrats on the House Oversight and Judiciary committees, have said existing investigations will be expanded if the party wins. Garcia said Democrats will investigate suspicious Pentagon contracts which he claimed benefit the president's children, Trump's multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency assets, and confidential transactions benefiting his financial backers. The White House said in a statement that Trump is working to thwart the "far-left agenda" and remains committed to maintaining Republican majorities in Congress. A White House official also said the administration is prepared to respond to oversight requests regardless of which party controls the House and Senate. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in June that if his party wins control of the House, he does not rule out impeaching Trump, but the primary focus for Democrats will be on financial matters. Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives during his first term in office, but was acquitted both times by the Senate.