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White House warns some congressional probes could be criminal

newsNov 11, 202615892

The White House’s top lawyer warned the chair of the House’s chief investigative committee that aggressive oversight of the Trump administration “may cross the line into blatant criminality,” the New York Times reports as Democrats prepared to begin oversight inquiries. Administration officials told lawmakers that certain investigative tactics could amount to crimes, though reporting says it was not clear what legal basis would support that threat and the Constitution grants lawmakers immunity for legislative acts. Some commentators and legal observers said the warning itself could risk accusations of criminal extortion or prompt bar disciplinary complaints against White House counsel. House Democrats have signaled they will proceed with planned probes seeking testimony and documents. The dispute sets up a likely clash between congressional oversight powers and the White House that could produce litigation, Department of Justice involvement, or professional ethics complaints.

Sen. Adam Schiff
@schiff.senate.gov

Demanding accountability isn't a crime. Getting answers isn't a crime. Exposing the corruption that is driving up costs is part of the mandate we have been given. And we will do it.

647Yesterday
kristinekenyon.bsky.social7

Please support Chris Van Hollen for Senate Majority Leader. Yes I’m a constituent.

trickledownfailed.bsky.social7

We, the people are demanding accountability. 🔽

Darren Gasser2

So you'll vote for someone other than Schumer as majority leader?

Alatar The Blue1

Adam, Speaking for myself at least I don’t want anyone crossing the aisle, or asking anyone to have “faith” Maga is gonna behave. We are soooooo far past that It’s a criminal nazi cabal not a political party, treat them that way

Avvie1

That sounds like stall tactics and raises even more suspicion of corruption. "Good for me, not for thee" is appropriate when describing their actions.

The Trump Crisis1

Are you folks ever going to deal with Jim Jordan and that subpoena he ignored?

Scott Horton
@robertscotthorton.bsky.social

The White House’s top lawyer warned the chair of the House’s chief investigative committee that aggressive oversight of the Trump administration “may cross the line into blatant criminality,” a threat that experts say may constitute criminal extortion and require bar disciplinary action.

56Yesterday
Lee West
@whodat35.bsky.social

Extreme authoritarians Blanche LLC and Miller (AFL) can both go pound sand. It’s called accountability and oversight + the purview of Congress. White House warns of criminal inquiries into House Democrats who investigate Trump. | LA Times www.latimes.com/politics/sto...

422d ago
Tommy G1

Blanche needs to be impeached for breaking his oath to the constitution and putting Trump ahead of country. This is obviously retaliatory! How is that in itself not against the law? Opening an investigation on someone for zero cause is a waste of money and resources.

Rick Hasen
@rickhasen.bsky.social

DOJ’s Threats to Congress and Teeth Gnashing Cannot Obscure The Agency’s Substantially Weakened Position Protecting Trump electionlawblog.org/2026/dojs-th...

54Yesterday
Mark Lemley
@marklemley.bsky.social

I'm so old I can remember when corruption was a crime. Now it appears investigating corruption is the crime in this White House. www.nytimes.com/2026/11/11/u...

20Yesterday
The Intellectualist
@theintellectualist.bsky.social

As Democrats prepare to investigate his administration, Trump has demanded a Justice Department inquiry and imprisonment. His White House counsel has warned of possible criminal liability. theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/trump-call...

11Yesterday
The Intellectualist3

Truth doesn’t survive on its own. Independent journalism depends on people who step in. Your support keeps accurate, independent reporting alive, and makes you part of it. theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/subscribe?co...

@Boom-WhatsGoingOn.bsky.social
@boom-whatsgoingon.bsky.social

Trump & team are biggest violators… Breaking news: White House threatens Congress, saying investigations could be crime…

10Yesterday
Blue Dot in Red State
@bluedotin.bsky.social

(WSJ) "Someone" (Trump? YES, YES, YES) is afraid of the probes by the DEM Congress for testimony and information. CAN. NOT. WAIT. PUSH ON, DEMS. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

102d ago
Social Media Lab
@socialmedialab.ca

White House Threatens Congress, Saying Aggressive Investigations Could Be Crime. That's ridiculous. The Constitution grants lawmakers immunity for legislative acts. www.nytimes.com/2026/11/11/u...

12Yesterday
Mark Follman
@markfollman.bsky.social

Preemptively threatening Congress for doing its job of conducting oversight? The only ‘crime’ here is yet more White House buffoonery. Looks like we’re in for a long two years of Trump flailing… www.nytimes.com/2026/11/11/u...

11Yesterday
stephforreal.bsky.social
@stephforreal.bsky.social

Ummm: Congress has a DUTY to oversee the executive branch. The White House cannot criminalize legitimate investigations. www.nytimes.com/2026/11/11/u...

3Yesterday
J. Offir, PhD
@joffirphd.bsky.social

All this regime knows how to do is threaten and attack. "As Democrats prepared to begin oversight inquiries, it was not clear what legal basis could support the threat. The Constitution grants lawmakers immunity for legislative acts." www.nytimes.com/2026/11/11/u...

5Yesterday
Jon B. Wolfsthal
@jonatomic.bsky.social

Suddenly the White House is worried about the abuse of judicial authority and people who use investigations as harassment? www.nytimes.com/2026/11/11/u...

4Yesterday
Bruce Little
@brucedlittle.bsky.social

💥 The White House has warned incoming Democratic House leaders that their planned oversight investigations into King Trump and his regime could cross the line into "blatant criminality." This, alone, is not enough to dissuade Dems from opening investigations.

4Yesterday
Watchdog Progressive
@watchdogprg.bsky.social

WSJ >> White House Warns Democrats Against ‘Blatant Criminality’ in Investigation Demands. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

32d ago
2 sources
nytimes.comWhite House Threatens Congress, Saying Aggressive Investigations Could Be Crime (Gift Article)pressaudit.orgWhite House confronts Democrats over planned probes, claiming they may be 'blatant criminality'

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