As Democrats prepare to regain control of key congressional committees in the next Congress, outside groups are urging them to prioritize investigations into corporate interests over President Donald Trump. This approach is seen as more likely to resonate with voters, according to several groups and advisors who have been drafting oversight plans. Democrats are expected to launch multiple investigations into companies that have done business with the Trump administration, particularly in the technology, cryptocurrency, and prediction market industries.
Alex Jacquez, a senior vice president of policy at Groundwork Collaborative, warned against repeating the mistakes of 2019, when Democrats spent extensive time on impeachment proceedings that did not resonate with the public. 'The issue never really resonated for people. Donald Trump was more popular the day that impeachment ended in the Senate than he was when it started in the House,' Jacquez told CNBC. Other Democratic-aligned groups and strategists echoed this sentiment, urging restraint and a focus on affordability issues.
Recent polling conducted by Groundwork and Hart Research found that 2 in 3 voters believe investigations of corporate greed should be a high priority, compared to 58% who think Congress should focus on Trump's personal corruption. Focus groups revealed strong voter anger toward CEOs and corporate leaders, with many calling for jail time, resignations, and lower prices. Lucas Holtz, a senior political advisor at Third Way, emphasized the importance of connecting investigations to cost-of-living issues to avoid appearing politically motivated.
Senate Finance Committee chair Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has outlined an ambitious oversight agenda, including probes into JPMorgan Chase's banking relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and efforts to ensure billionaires pay their fair share in taxes. Presumptive House Judiciary Committee Chair Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) also listed Epstein as a potential focus, along with Trump's $1.8 billion 'lawfare fund' and violations of the emoluments clause. Democrats plan to aggressively target businesses with ties to the Trump administration, including tech companies, cryptocurrency firms, and prediction market companies.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the incoming chair of the Senate Banking Committee, is expected to lead investigations into the cryptocurrency industry. The return of Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) adds another layer to these probes, as he previously lost his seat in 2024 due to significant crypto spending against him. Democrats believe their election mandate gives them the authority to conduct these investigations, which they hope will deter corporate corruption and benefit the public.