By Lisa Haven
The mainstream media is reporting that there is a mass exodus happening over at the White House, and many of those reports are attempting to place the blame directly on President Trump. But when you look at what else is happening behind the scenes ahead of the midterm elections, I believe there may be a much bigger reason some people are heading for the exits.
According to the Daily Mail, White House Director of Legislative Affairs James Braid is expected to leave the administration in September. Braid has been responsible for working with members of Congress to help shepherd President Trump’s agenda through Capitol Hill, a job the outlet says has become increasingly difficult amid Republican infighting and tensions between Trump and some lawmakers. But Braid is far from the only one leaving.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also announced that she will leave White House service at the end of the month. Leavitt, however, has publicly explained that her departure is about spending more time with her children after having another baby. Former Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson reportedly left two weeks earlier. White House Counsel David Warrington has also announced plans to leave at the end of August, while Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker and Trump aide Emily Underwood are reportedly leaving the administration as well.
That is quite a list of people departing the Trump administration just before the midterms, and naturally it raises questions about what exactly is going on.
The mainstream explanation may be that these departures reflect turmoil inside the administration, but I believe there is another possibility that deserves serious consideration. Democrats are preparing for what they could do if they regain control of the House after the November midterms, and according to recent reporting, investigations surrounding Trump and those connected to him could become a major priority.
Current political forecasts have shown Democrats with a real possibility of taking control of the House, while Republicans have generally remained stronger in projections for the Senate. There are also scenarios being discussed in which Democrats could potentially capture both chambers. Nothing is guaranteed, obviously, and elections can change dramatically in a matter of weeks, but the possibility of Democrats controlling congressional investigative powers is very real. And that is where this story gets interesting.
According to a report from WBKB citing people familiar with Democratic discussions, House Democrats preparing for a possible return to power are developing a broad investigative strategy targeting companies and financial firms surrounding President Donald Trump. Rather than immediately pursuing another impeachment effort, Democrats are reportedly considering hearings, subpoenas, document demands and congressional investigations directed at entities connected to Trump’s political and business world. That is an important distinction.
Instead of simply going directly after Trump, the strategy reportedly being considered would expand the investigative net around him. Private companies, contractors, financial institutions, donors, business associates and other organizations connected to the administration could potentially find themselves receiving congressional demands for documents and testimony.
According to the report, companies including Apple, Alphabet, Palantir, Blackstone and BlackRock have surfaced during discussions because of government contracts, regulatory matters or dealings with the administration. Companies connected to Elon Musk, including Tesla, have reportedly been mentioned as well. However, sources also emphasized that no final target list has been established and no formal investigations have begun.
Democrats are also reportedly considering examining Department of Homeland Security contracts, financing surrounding Trump’s planned White House ballroom, corporate donors and allegations involving possible pay-to-play arrangements.
The potential investigations could stretch even further into Trump-linked financial vehicles. One reportedly discussed area involves 1789 Capital, the venture capital firm where Donald Trump Jr. is a partner, along with foreign sovereign wealth funds that have invested in entities associated with the Trump family.
And according to the reporting, some of the groundwork may already be underway, with Democrats reportedly sending letters to companies, contractors and organizations connected to President Trump and his administration.
Now think about what that means for someone currently working inside the Trump White House.
If you believe there is a legitimate possibility that Democrats will control the House in a matter of months, and you know they are already discussing aggressive investigations involving not just President Trump but potentially the people, businesses and organizations surrounding him, would that influence your decision about whether you wanted to remain inside the administration?
I cannot say that this is why these White House officials are leaving. They have not said that. But in my opinion, the timing makes the question worth asking.
Imagine knowing that congressional committees could soon possess subpoena power and that investigators might begin digging through contracts, communications, business relationships and financial dealings involving practically anyone connected to President Trump. Whether someone has done anything wrong or not, simply being caught inside years of congressional investigations can become enormously expensive, disruptive and damaging.
That is why I cannot help but wonder whether some people are looking at the political landscape and quietly deciding, “I’m out of here.”
And if intimidation is part of the effect these investigations have, intentional or otherwise, then Democrats may already be accomplishing something before they have even won the House. People surrounding Trump could begin distancing themselves simply because they do not want themselves, their families or their businesses dragged through another round of political warfare.
What frustrates me is the precedent this creates for the country.
Are we reaching a point where every time political power changes hands, the new majority launches years of investigations into the previous president, his family, his associates, his donors and anyone who worked around him?
That cannot become the normal way America operates.
There were certainly questionable dealings involving people connected to the Biden family and officials from the previous administration that many Americans believe deserved significantly more scrutiny. Yet now we are hearing extensive plans being discussed for investigations that could reach practically every corner of Trump’s political and business orbit.
Trump himself has already endured years of investigations, lawsuits and political attacks. Now, instead of stopping with Trump, Democrats could potentially turn their attention toward his partners, investments, companies, contractors and virtually anyone within his circle.
Again, I am not claiming that Democratic investigation plans are definitively causing the departures from the White House. That would be speculation. But I do believe the possibility deserves to be part of the conversation, especially when so many departures are occurring only months before an election that could dramatically change who controls Congress.
Something is happening at the White House, and Americans should be paying very close attention.
The midterms are not simply about which political party gets more seats in Congress. Control of the House means control of powerful committees, hearings and subpoena authority. If Democrats take the House, they appear prepared to use those powers aggressively against Trump and the network of people and organizations surrounding him. And that could completely change the atmosphere inside Washington.
If people connected to the administration believe they could soon become targets of congressional investigations merely because of their proximity to President Trump, we should not be surprised if some decide that remaining in Washington simply is not worth the risk. That is why I believe this reported White House exodus is much more important than it may initially appear. The question is not simply why people are leaving. The bigger question is what they believe may be coming after November.
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