Watchdog group to lend Hill Dems a hand on oversight
A left-leaning watchdog group is working to gather materials that could feed Congressional investigations into the Trump administration.
The nonprofit group American Oversight, which shared its plans first with POLITICO, is preparing for a scenario where Democrats reclaim the majority in either the House or Senate in the 2026 midterms, which will give the party the ability to issue subpoenas, schedule committee hearings and launch agency probes.
Dubbed the 'Parallel Investigations Initiative,' it will look similar to what American Oversight did during the first Trump administration, when Republicans also enjoyed a governing trifecta. The group used the Freedom of Information Act, litigation and judicial enforcement to force the Trump administration to turn over critical documents, in anticipation of the next Congress when Democrats assumed power in the House.
In a statement, the group's executive director, Chioma Chukwu, said the organization wants to fill a hole left open by the lack of congressional oversight into the new Trump administration — lawmakers in control of a chamber of Congress rarely turn a bright light on the president who shares their party affiliation.
'As President Trump's second term unfolds and Congress continues to abdicate its responsibility to conduct meaningful oversight, we remain steadfast in our commitment to conducting rigorous investigations into the administration's anti-democratic actions,' Chukwu said. 'Our efforts will establish a critical foundation for future congressional investigations that, when combined with decisive congressional action, will bring the truth to light and ensure accountability.'
American Oversight is already working with one House Democrat who could be key to their efforts should Democrats win back the majority in 2026. On Wednesday morning, the group will hold a press call with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member, Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, on Trump's recent firing of a number of agency inspectors general.
The group has already filed FOIA requests around the firings with 14 federal agencies.
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