WASHINGTON - The White House has warned that Democratic plans to investigate President Donald Trump and his administration could cross into criminal conduct, prompting public responses from Democratic lawmakers, according to reports from The Guardian and The Hill.
The Guardian reported that the White House threatened criminal investigations over the planned scrutiny, saying Democratic pledges to investigate the president may cross into blatant criminality.
Robert Garcia, the ranking member of the powerful congressional oversight committee, whom The Guardian described as its incoming Democratic chair, said it appears Trump has "something to hide" after the White House's threats. The Guardian's account centered on Garcia's remarks.
The Hill reported that Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) responded on Wednesday to the White House's threat to investigate Democrats if they plan to probe Trump and his administration, telling administration lawyers to "Come at me, bro." According to The Hill, Lynch said Democrats are well situated to do their jobs and characterized the White House message as an instruction not to do them.
The available summaries do not include the full text of the White House letter, the specific investigations under consideration, or any further White House reply to the Democratic responses. The Guardian focused on Garcia's comments, while The Hill focused on Lynch's, so the two reports emphasize different speakers.
Sources: The Guardian: Democrat says Trump has ‘something to hide’ after White House threatens oversight efforts; The Hill: House Democrat responds to White House warning: ‘Come at me, bro’.