# Democrats plan Trump investigations with new Congress control > After winning the midterms, Democrats prepare oversight of Epstein ties, public corruption, immigration enforcement, and executive power. - Title: Democrats plan Trump investigations with new Congress control - Summary: After winning the midterms, Democrats prepare oversight of Epstein ties, public corruption, immigration enforcement, and executive power. Democrats won… - Keywords: democrats, trump administration, congressional oversight, 2026 midterms, house oversight committee, jeffrey epstein, immigration enforcement, executive power, iran war, elon musk, NPR - Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/11/04/g-s1-150276/2026-midterms-democrats-investigations - Published: 2026-11-04T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: democrats, trump administration, congressional oversight, 2026 midterms, house oversight committee, jeffrey epstein, immigration enforcement, executive power, iran war, elon musk, news ## Democrats win Congress, Trump stays in office Democrats won big in the midterm elections but President Trump remains in the White House. The next Congress is unlikely to see much major legislation signed into law. ## Oversight replaces legislation With public corruption and failing leadership as top voter concerns, congressional Democrats plan an ambitious agenda of investigations. They will have full investigatory powers including subpoena and compulsion to testify. ## Garcia warns Trump team Rep. Robert Garcia, the California Democrat expected to become chair of the House Oversight Committee, put it bluntly in a statement: LAWYER UP. > LAWYER UP. ## Epstein connections under scrutiny Democrats plan to investigate the administration's handling of and connections to scandals involving late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They say many records were improperly redacted or withheld from the public. ## Raskin challenges Trump's Epstein claim Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said Trump's claim that he knew Epstein just like everybody in Palm Beach knew him is false. Evidence involving eleven women tells a far more damning story about their relationship. > Donald Trump says he knew Jeffrey Epstein 'just like everybody in Palm Beach knew him.' Not exactly. ## Trump denies Epstein wrongdoing The president has long denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and maintained that their relationship ended before the disgraced financier was indicted for soliciting prostitution in two thousand sixteen. ## Public corruption investigations planned Democrats plan to investigate what they describe as efforts by administration officials to advance the financial interests of the president, his family, themselves and close allies. They highlight Truth Social, cryptocurrency projects and overseas projects. ## Garcia links corruption to cost of living Rep.Garcia wrote that millions of dollars in dark money flow through the political system and some members of Congress may trade stocks on non-public information.These abuses of power are making the cost-of-living crisis worse. > Americans are dealing with a cost-of-living crisis, and these abuses of power are making it worse. ## Immigration enforcement under review Trump returned to office promising stricter immigration but public support for his deportation agenda has cratered after high-profile incidents including the killing of two U.S.citizens in Minnesota this year.Democrats will hold hearings on violence. ## Jayapal calls ICE lawless Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington said following a hearing that ICE is a lawless, rogue agency causing generational trauma in communities. House Democrats will continue oversight work that Republicans refuse to do. > ICE is a lawless, rogue agency that is causing generational trauma in communities across the country. ## Executive power projects face scrutiny Trump's muscular use of executive power has been unrestrained by the Republican majority. Democrats will oversee pet projects including remodeling the East Wing, building a monumental arch, renovating the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and others. ## Congress reasserts spending authority The projects are entwined in a constitutional fight over appropriations.Congress has sole authority to decide how taxpayer dollars are spent, but the White House has repeatedly disregarded its declarations and rescinded billions in approved spending. ## Iran war and Musk investigations ahead Democrats plan oversight of the U.S.-Iran war, pressing Pentagon officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on costs. They will also scrutinize Elon Musk's federal funding and his satellite internet service interruptions affecting Ukraine's military operations. ## Key takeaway Democrats won control of Congress and plan extensive investigations into Trump administration conduct, from Epstein connections to immigration enforcement abuses.