Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., gave reporters new details today about four investigations the House Oversight Committee plans to begin once Democrats take the majority in January.
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Garcia, who is likely to become the next chair of the committee, said the first investigation will focus on the “Trump Crime Family” and begin on “day one” of the new term.
Garcia said the second investigation will center on the Department of Homeland Security and allegations of abuses by ICE agents. He specifically named former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and a former top aide, Corey Lewandowski, in connection with allegations of their involvement in a $220 million contract for an advertising campaign.
The committee will also investigate “corporate corruption,” Garcia said, citing contracts given to companies working on Trump’s different renovation projects around D.C., as well as those benefiting from the war in Iran and U.S. efforts in Venezuela.
Garcia said the final investigation that will shape the committee’s immediate agenda is focused on the Jeffrey Epstein files and the “horrific injustice that’s happened to so many women and girls.” He said there “has not been real accountability for the co-conspirators and the men who brutally raped, trafficked and abused” the victims, and he urged for the full files to be released.
Asked who should be worried about the investigations, Garcia specifically mentioned Noem, Lewandowski, White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, members of the Trump family and other Trump administration officials.
Lauren Bis, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement today that Trump is “willing to work with anyone to continue delivering victories for hardworking Americans.”
“If Democrats choose to pursue sham investigations and radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people,” Bis said.
A White House official said in a statement today, “If crazed Democrats want to abuse their power and politicize their process of investigations, subpoenas, and destroying lives, they should be reminded that we still control the federal government and all of its powers.”
James Percival, general counsel for DHS, said in a statement that it is “unfortunate that Democrats are more interested in political shenanigans than in governing,” adding that the department is “well prepared to deal with this nonsense.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com
