Key facts
- Democrats won control of the Senate and House in Tuesday's midterm elections.
- US Representative Robert Garcia, set to chair House Oversight, posted "LAWYER UP" on X late on Tuesday.
- Senator Ron Wyden, expected to lead Senate Finance, posted "Subpoenas" an hour later.
- Wyden said he plans to scrutinize agreements between the Trump administration and pharmaceutical companies on drug pricing.
- White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said Democrats pursuing "sham investigations" would be working against the American people.
- A representative for Elon Musk did not respond to a request for comment.
Democrats will use their new investigative powers to probe the Trump family's business deals as they make corruption a central part of a 2028 campaign for the White House.
Democrats seized control of both the Senate and House of Representatives in Tuesday's midterm elections, in which tens of millions of voters delivered a rebuke to President Donald Trump. They wasted no time putting Republicans on notice.
"LAWYER UP," US Representative Robert Garcia, who is set to become chairman of the House Oversight Committee, posted on X late on Tuesday.
"Subpoenas," Senator Ron Wyden, who is expected to lead the Senate Finance Committee, wrote an hour later.
"Clear your schedule," US Representative Delia Ramirez said in a post addressed to several Trump administration officials.
Democratic committee leaders began outlining an oversight agenda on Wednesday that targets both the Trump administration and major corporations. Wyden said he plans to scrutinize agreements between the Trump administration and pharmaceutical companies on drug pricing.
The Trump administration has denied any wrongdoing and on Wednesday it pushed back against the looming probes.
"If Democrats choose to pursue sham investigations and radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people," said White House spokesperson Lauren Bis.
Another White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said of the comments by Democrats: "They should be reminded that we still control the federal government and all of its powers," the official said.