Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Nov 9: Senior Democratic lawmakers have indicated that tech billionaire Elon Musk, newly appointed White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and several major companies could face congressional investigations when Democrats take control of Congress in January following their sweeping midterm election victory.
US Representative Robert Garcia of California and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who are expected to lead the House Oversight and Senate Banking committees respectively, have vowed to pursue aggressive oversight of the Trump administration and corporate activities.
Garcia said investigations would examine Musk's involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), particularly its role in the dismissal of federal employees last year. Lawmakers are also expected to scrutinise Miller's role in shaping President Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies.
"I think there's a lot of interest, not just from our committee, but from committees across the Congress to speak to Mr. Musk," Garcia told CNN's 'State of the Union'.
Garcia described Miller as the architect of what he called a "horrific, unjust" immigration policy and said his influence over major administration decisions warranted congressional scrutiny.
"Stephen Miller is at the centre of the major policy decisions that are happening in the administration, and so it does deserve oversight and investigation," he said.
Warren, meanwhile, warned that companies accused of exploiting consumers or misleading investors should prepare for serious congressional investigations, although she did not identify any specific firms.
"If you've been making your profits by cheating American families and scamming your investors, you'd better get ready for some investigations, serious ones," Warren told CBS's 'Face the Nation'.
The Democratic victory in Tuesday's midterm elections marked a major setback for Republicans. However, officials and political observers expect the Trump administration to maintain its aggressive approach to immigration enforcement and continue its policy confrontations with Democrats.
Miller's elevation to White House chief of staff is also expected to strengthen his influence over the administration's policy direction. The immigration crackdown has faced growing criticism, particularly after two people were fatally shot by federal agents during operations in Minnesota. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in October found that only 37 per cent of Americans approved of Trump's handling of immigration, compared with 50 per cent when he took office.
Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated strong support for impeachment proceedings against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Jeffries, who is expected to become Speaker of the House in January, said he would back a resolution seeking Hegseth's removal.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a critic of Trump who is leaving Congress in January following a Trump-backed primary defeat, has said he plans to reintroduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth.
"Pete Hegseth has got to go," Jeffries told ABC's 'This Week', criticising the defence secretary's oversight of the Iran war launched by Trump in February, which has contributed to a rise in fuel prices.
"I believe there will be incredibly strong support for that resolution," Jeffries added.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, has signalled that it is prepared to challenge the incoming Democratic leadership. Attorney General Todd Blanche warned that threats to target administration officials and allies through congressional investigations would not be tolerated.
"If that's what this new incoming leadership wants to do, we are ready," Blanche said, adding that he would provide legal representation to administration officials facing investigations.