Democrats Put Targets on Notice as Trump Oversight Takes Shape

Key Points:

• Congressional Democrats have notified over 60 companies, individuals, and agencies that they may be investigated for the Trump administration’s cuts to scientific research, environmental rollbacks, and unconventional business deals.
• The letters, sent by top Democrats on the House Science Committee, demand preservation of relevant documents as they prepare to use subpoena power following recent election victories.
• Key concerns include attempts to dismantle climate and weather research institutions, a White House deal with a rare earths company, and efforts to undermine climate science ahead of regulatory rollbacks.
• Representative Zoe Lofgren, incoming chair of the House Science Committee, accused the administration of assaulting the science enterprise through firings, coercion, funding impoundments, and possible corruption.
• The White House criticized the investigations as politically motivated, while Democrats emphasized their new authority to compel information after years in the minority.