New House Majority Sets Five Targets for Trump Financial Probes
Leaders plan to use expanded staff to investigate family wealth, Epstein files, and ICE operations, citing voter concern over government corruption.
By Aiko Soto ·
House Democrats will begin formal investigations into President Donald Trump’s financial activities immediately after taking control of the chamber in the November midterm elections. The new majority intends to use subpoena powers and increased staff to examine how the president and his associates have increased their wealth since 2025. This move follows a night where voters shifted power to the Democratic Party, with corruption cited as a primary motivation by a large portion of the electorate.
The Associated Press Voter Poll of more than 100,000 people shows that about half of U.S. voters said government corruption was crucial to their choice for Congress. Roughly three in ten voters named the state of democracy as the top issue facing the country. Among those who prioritized democracy, about eight in ten supported the Democratic candidate in their local House race, compared to about two in ten who backed the Republican. This demographic shift places pressure on new leaders to connect their oversight work directly to economic concerns.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who is expected to become House speaker, has directed the investigation strategy. He tasked Rep. Robert Garcia of California and Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland with leading the effort. Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, outlined five specific priorities. These include Trump family business dealings, the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Other lawmakers have added to the list of targets. Rep. Jared Huffman of California plans to review the construction of the White House ballroom and mineral deals involving the Trump family. In the Senate, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut will chair the Homeland Security Committee’s investigation subcommittee. He intends to examine Trump’s real estate projects near the capital and his cryptocurrency ventures with Steve Witkoff, the special envoy who partnered with the family on World Liberty Financial.
Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who is poised to return as Senate majority leader, framed the effort as a response to public frustration. He noted that Americans should not have to make tradeoffs at the supermarket while Trump makes inside trades on the stock market. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the likely chair of the Finance Committee, plans to investigate banks that ignored red flags on Epstein’s finances and pharmaceutical companies tied to the administration. He stated that these entities will be forced to answer for their role in enabling corruption.
The White House has responded with a mix of conciliation and caution. President Trump has taken a cooperative tone, acknowledging that Democrats did a good job in their campaigns. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said the president is willing to work with anyone to deliver victories. She added that if Democrats pursue sham investigations and radical policies, they are working against the American people.
Democrats face the challenge of balancing these probes with legislation on affordability. Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont urged his colleagues to be cautious and judicious. He warned against turning the process into a vengeance tour. Advocacy groups like the Congressional Integrity Project are advising lawmakers to trace administration actions to specific beneficiaries. The group’s senior adviser, Jack Miller, said corruption is costing taxpayers and Americans in their everyday lives.
