House Democrats Plot To Hold Multiple Trump Investigations
House Democrats met privately in recent weeks to plot what they would do if they managed to wrest control of the chamber from Republicans in November.
And if you were hoping they were making plans to government, you’d be mistaken. Rather, they plan to spend much of their time launching politically motivated ‘investigations’ into President Donald Trump.
House Democrats plan to focus investigations on companies and financial institutions connected to Trump rather than immediately pursuing impeachment, according to four people familiar with the discussions.
According to the sources, senior Democratic lawmakers and committee staff have discussed using congressional hearings, subpoenas, and document requests to obtain records from businesses and financial entities associated with Trump’s political and business network.
Supporters of the approach reportedly believe investigations involving private organizations may be more effective than direct oversight of the White House, which they expect would vigorously resist congressional inquiries.
The reported strategy also reflects lessons some Democrats say they learned during Trump’s first term, when impeachment proceedings became a dominant focus of Congress and, in their view, allowed Trump to argue that he was being targeted for partisan political reasons, which was true.
According to people familiar with the discussions, Democrats involved in the planning are considering using House oversight powers, if they regain the majority after the November midterm elections, to examine administration decision-making and investigate whether Trump used the powers of his office to benefit himself, political allies, or campaign supporters.
The discussions reportedly center on the use of congressional hearings, subpoenas, and document requests as part of a broader oversight agenda.
“We’re not going into this to impeach,” a senior Democratic aide, describing the thinking among party leaders and committee staff, told Reuters.
“No one wants a failed vote on day one. The focus is on building a body of evidence through investigations that can hold Trump accountable,” the aide said.
If Democrats regain control of the House, they would acquire the authority to issue subpoenas, compel testimony and document production, hold investigative hearings, and initiate contempt proceedings as part of congressional oversight.
According to people familiar with the discussions, Democratic lawmakers anticipate that the White House would vigorously contest or decline many requests directed at executive branch officials.
As a result, they are reportedly considering seeking information from private companies, government contractors, and financial institutions that conduct business with or are regulated by the administration.
In a statement, the White House said President Donald Trump remains focused on opposing what it described as the “radical left’s agenda” and preserving Republican majorities in Congress.
A White House official also said the administration is prepared to respond to congressional oversight requests regardless of which party controls the House or Senate.
According to three sources familiar with the discussions, companies that have reportedly been mentioned include Apple, Alphabet, Palantir, Blackstone, BlackRock, and businesses owned by Elon Musk, including Tesla, because of their federal contracts, regulatory relationships, or interactions with the administration.
The sources emphasized that no final list of investigative targets has been established and that no formal congressional investigations have been launched, Reuters reported.
According to two people familiar with the discussions, Democrats are expected to focus potential investigations on Department of Homeland Security contracts, financing related to Trump’s ongoing White House ballroom project, corporate political donors, and allegations involving possible pay-to-play arrangements.
The sources also said lawmakers are considering examining financial entities connected to Trump’s business network, including 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm in which Donald Trump Jr. is a partner, as well as investments by foreign sovereign wealth funds in businesses linked to the Trump family.
According to the sources, the discussions center on whether those financial relationships could raise questions about potential influence on administration decision-making.
The sources emphasized that the discussions remain preliminary and that no formal investigations have been initiated.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
