White House blasts Democrats planning probes of Trump admin: ‘Will not be extorted and will not be cowed’

The White House has warned Democrats against using congressional investigations to target the Trump administration after they take control of Congress in January. In a letter to incoming House Oversight chairman Robert Garcia, White House Counsel Will Scharf said investigations must serve legislative purposes and must not become criminal persecution.

Democrats have said they plan to issue subpoenas to administration officials and members of the first family, and some have suggested charges could follow. Scharf argued that threats intended to deter officials from public service, or subpoenas intended to deprive people of their constitutional rights, could cross legal boundaries. The letter signals that the administration plans to mount an aggressive response.