Raskin’s promise of investigations if Democrats regain House power puts partisan oversight back in the spotlight as voters prepare for the midterms
WASHINGTON — Americans have heard this script before.
One party wins power. The other vows investigations. Congressional hearings begin. Subpoenas fly. Cable television fills with accusations and counteraccusations. Then another election arrives, control changes hands and the cycle begins again.
Now, with the 2026 midterm elections approaching, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., is making clear that investigations of President Donald Trump, his family and his administration would become a major priority if Democrats regain control of the House.
During an appearance Monday on CNN’s “The Arena,” host Kasie Hunt asked Raskin what his priorities would be if Democrats took the House and he gained the subpoena authority that comes with leading the House Judiciary Committee.
Raskin said Democrats are already examining what they allege are instances of corruption involving pardons, government contracts and the Trump family’s foreign business dealings. He said Democrats would be in a much stronger position to pursue those investigations with subpoena power.
House Democrats are not hiding those plans.
The Associated Press reported in September that Democrats are preparing an extensive oversight agenda if they capture the House, potentially involving multiple committees, investigations of the Trump administration and family, subpoenas and even possible impeachment proceedings. Democrats describe those plans as necessary congressional oversight of what they allege are abuses of power and corruption. wplg
Republicans are certain to see much of it differently.
And therein lies a larger problem for Washington: How many more years can the country spend bouncing between investigations of Democrats and investigations of Republicans while ordinary Americans are asking government to address the problems affecting their daily lives?
The constitutional oversight power of Congress matters. No president, Cabinet secretary, federal agency or political party should be beyond legitimate scrutiny. Evidence of wrongdoing should be investigated regardless of who controls Washington.
But oversight and political warfare are not necessarily the same thing.
Americans have watched years of investigations involving Trump, two impeachments during his first presidency, congressional inquiries into the Biden administration and Biden family, investigations surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, disputes over classified documents and repeated battles between congressional committees and presidential administrations.
Now Washington appears prepared for another round.
Meanwhile, voters are dealing with questions that reach directly into their homes: What does the grocery bill cost? What is happening to health care? Can families afford housing? Are communities safe? Is the border secure? Are children receiving a quality education? Can working Americans afford to raise a family and retire?
Those issues do not disappear when Congress issues a subpoena.
Raskin argues that investigating alleged corruption is part of Congress’ responsibility. During the CNN interview, he also told dissatisfied voters that the midterm elections are their opportunity to “change the equation” in Washington.
That is ultimately where the decision belongs.
With Republicans controlling the House, Senate and White House today, Democrats are asking voters to give them congressional power to provide a stronger check on the Trump administration. Republicans will ask voters to preserve their governing majority and prevent Democratic investigations from consuming the next Congress.
Voters should know what each side intends to do with that power.
But Americans are also entitled to demand something beyond another season of political retaliation, investigations and televised hearings.
Congress has legitimate oversight responsibilities. It also has a responsibility to legislate.
The country cannot permanently operate under the philosophy that every election victory provides an opportunity to investigate the people who won the previous one.
At some point, Washington has to govern.
And after years of the same political games from both parties, Americans have every right to ask their elected officials a simple question:
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