From WIRED · Vittoria Elliott · · 2m
Democrats Prepare to Investigate Trump Administration
Democrats gear up to investigate Trump administration but face agency resistance.
In brief
Democrats gear up to investigate Trump administration but face agency resistance. Democrats aim to investigate Trump administration but agencies resist cooperation with congressional oversight. Originally reported by WIRED.
Democrats target Trump administration
As polls indicate Democrats could take back the US House of Representatives and possibly the Senate, lawmakers are gearing up to investigate the Trump administration.
GAO report on DOGE access
The Government Accountability Office released a report titled 'DOGE: Congress and the Public Lack Assurance That Systems and Data Were Protected at Multiple Agencies.'
Agencies refuse cooperation
Multiple executive branch agencies refused to fully cooperate with investigators about DOGE’s access to sensitive systems and information.
CFPB accuses GAO of bias
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sent GAO a letter accusing investigators of bias and alleging the report was 'misleading.'
GAO’s role and limitations
The GAO serves as Congress’ primary investigative body but lacks the ability to enforce laws or take on prosecution.
Agencies slow-walk responses
The Democratic congressional aide says several agencies slow-walked their responses to the GAO, showing a 'surprising' level of obstruction.
VA and SBA unresponsive
The VA and SBA did not respond to requests for information needed to determine DOGE team access to their systems.
DOGE operatives at agencies
The CFPB refused to name all six DOGE operatives detailed to the agency, including Nikhil Rajpal, Chris Young, and Gavin Kliger.
Commerce Department resistance
The Commerce Department refused to cooperate with Senator Ron Wyden’s request to investigate U.S. export controls for AI national security risks.
Congressional subpoena power
Democrats are preparing to use subpoena power to compel agency cooperation with investigations.
Contempt of Congress
Congress can hold individuals in contempt of Congress but has faced limited repercussions since 2012.
Budget as pressure tool
Congress could use its power of the purse to pressure the executive branch but faces challenges with omnibus bills.
Limited options for Democrats
Berman says there are no good options for Democrats to force executive branch cooperation with investigations.
The one thing
Democrats aim to investigate Trump administration but agencies resist cooperation with congressional oversight.
