Dems plot a unified case against Trump
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Congressional Democrats see a target-rich environment next year. But they're also worried that if they investigate everything, they may appear to investigate nothing.
Why it matters: Democrats want to move beyond the one-off hearings, fist-pounding document demands and subpoena threats that defined much of their oversight during President Trump's first term.
- The goal, according to senior Democrats, is to build a sustained narrative around the administration's "cost, chaos and corruption" — while showing voters they have legislative solutions to the problems they uncover.
- "We're trying to get to the answers that point to solutions," a senior Democratic aide said.
Zoom in: Senate Democrats are actively coordinating investigations across committees and with their House counterparts, looking to turn Day One oversight of the Trump administration into a sustained case for their own legislative agenda.
- Think more Jan. 6 committee investigation, with slick videos and compelling witness testimony, than impeachment 1.0.
- The coordination, underway for months, is increasingly happening at the senator level, with lawmakers working to divide investigative responsibilities and avoid overlapping efforts.
- "We want to deconflict these with some of the other committees, right? We don't want to be duplicative with other committees," Sen. Chris Van Hollen told Axios.
The other side: Rep. Robert Garcia, the likely chair of the House Oversight Committee, has a four-pronged plan to investigate the Trump administration.
- But he has a two-word taunt: "LAWYER UP."
Between the lines: Nearly every House committee has the power to subpoena without getting sign-off from the minority party.
- In the Senate, only the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and its Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) can issue subpoenas unilaterally.
Trump's war in Iran will likely be the Senate's first focus, with the Senate Armed Services Committee preparing for hearings — and planning to call Hegseth to testify — in January.
- There will also be an immediate vote on a war powers resolution.
- "I've been very clear that we need to use every tool at our disposal to end the illegal [incentives] war in Iran, and that's beginning day one," Van Hollen said.
What's next: As the scope of their victory comes into focus, Democrats across committees are eager to get to work.
- "I'm looking at you — Big Tech CEOs, Wall Street executives, and giant corporations. If you break the law, there will be consequences," Sen. Elizabeth Warren thundered on X.
