House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) sent a letter to all House Republican committee chairmen on November 3 outlining preparations for potential investigations by Democrats once they regain control of the chamber in January 2023.
The letter, obtained by multiple outlets, instructs Republican chairs to inventory current and anticipated Democratic investigative efforts, identify potential targets, and review legal frameworks such as Supreme Court rulings and a Department of Justice memo on executive privilege. Scalise characterized the preparations as a ‘line of defense’ against what he described as partisan ‘oversight’ efforts.
Key Preparations Outlined
The guidance provided to Republican chairs includes three primary steps:
- Assessing Democratic investigative priorities while Republicans remain in the minority.
- Identifying individuals or entities likely to be targeted, including administration officials, programs, and external allies.
- Reviewing legal and procedural tools to counter future probes, including executive privilege claims and recent court rulings.
Scalise’s letter emphasized the need for cohesive Republican opposition, stating: “Please let me know if there are any additional tools or support you need from me as you undertake this important effort. I have full confidence that we will be effective in our efforts to fight back as a team.”
Context: Post-Midterm Shifts
The preparations follow the November 8 midterm elections, in which Democrats secured a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. Multiple Democratic leaders have signaled plans to use congressional oversight powers aggressively, with some publicly discussing potential impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump and investigations into his administration’s policies and associates.
Potential Targets and Scope
While Scalise’s letter did not specify individuals, Republican sources and media reports suggest that potential Democratic targets could include:
- Current and former administration officials
- Policy initiatives from the Trump administration
- External allies, including conservative organizations and industry leaders
The letter also referenced recent Supreme Court rulings and a DOJ memo on executive privilege as factors that could influence future investigations, indicating an effort to preemptively shape the legal and procedural groundwork for Republican resistance.
Next Steps
Scalise’s office confirmed that staff would meet with relevant committees to implement the outlined strategies. The preparations reflect a broader Republican strategy to mitigate the impact of Democratic-led investigations during the next Congress, which begins in January 2023.