# Democrats Prepare to Investigate Trump Administration

> Democrats gear up to investigate Trump administration but face agency resistance.
- Title: Democrats Prepare to Investigate Trump Administration · WIRED
- Summary: Democrats gear up to investigate Trump administration but face agency resistance. Democrats aim to investigate Trump administration but agencies resist…
- Keywords: democrats, trump administration, government accountability office, congressional oversight, executive branch, agency cooperation, congressional investigation, Prepare, Investigate, Trump, Administration, WIRED
- Source: WIRED — https://wired.com/story/democrats-are-gearing-up-to-investigate-the-trump-administration-it-wont-be-so-easy
- Author: Vittoria Elliott
- Published: 2026-10-15T10:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: democrats, trump administration, government accountability office, congressional oversight, executive branch, agency cooperation, congressional investigation
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Democrats aim to investigate Trump administration but agencies resist cooperation with congressional oversight.