2026 House midterm election results as Democrats capture majority with major wins

Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who will be the chairman of the House Oversight Committee next Congress, laid out four areas where the panel will focus its investigative efforts. 

The overarching investigations include the Trump family’s business dealings, corporate corruption, actions of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. 

“I think folks that need to be concerned first are administration officials that have caused real harm. We’re going to investigate the abuses,” Garcia said at a news conference in his district on Wednesday. 

Garcia singled out Stephen Miller, Corey Lewandowski and Kristi Noem, as well as members of the Trump family. 

“There’s a lot of folks that need to understand that we are going to ask them to testify in front of the U.S. Congress,” Garcia said. 

Garcia acknowledged that the Justice Department under the Trump administration is unlikely to enforce any consequences for those who do not cooperate with the panel’s investigations. But he said that in the majority, Democrats will have the power to sue on behalf of the House. 

“And secondly, we have the power of contempt charges. And contempt charges not only go to the DOJ, there’s also a civil contempt process that goes to the courts,” he said. 

Asked about the potential for Democrat-led investigations, White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said: “As the President has said, he’s willing to work with anyone to continue delivering victories for hardworking Americans. If Democrats choose to pursue sham investigations and radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people.”