Democrats are outlining a growing roster of Trump administration officials who could face congressional investigations or impeachment efforts once the party takes control of Congress in January.
Their plans appear to reach beyond War Secretary Pete Hegseth, following an unsuccessful impeachment effort against him on Tuesday. Democratic lawmakers say they are weighing hearings and investigations involving Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House chief of staff Stephen Miller and border czar Tom Homan.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said Democrats would continue to pursue accountability, including in relation to Miller and Homan, if they believe officials engaged in violations or serious abuses. He added that what action might be taken has not yet been decided.
Miller and Homan did not respond to requests for comment.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., who filed impeachment articles against Hegseth in April, also voiced support for further accountability efforts.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., said voters had called for an end to corruption in the midterm elections. She also criticized what she described as officials in the White House making millions of dollars while in office.
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., the House Democratic Caucus’s current vice chair and a candidate to lead it in January, said he would discuss possible hearings, investigations and impeachment proceedings involving Miller and Homan with Democratic leaders if elected chairman.
Lieu also called for an investigation into Lutnick over allegations related to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Lieu said Lutnick should be investigated and alleged that he knew about the reported relationship but did not look into it or take action.
Lutnick did not respond to a request for comment.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a member of the House Select Committee on China, backed an investigation into Lutnick and said Rubio’s possible involvement should also be examined.
“I think we need transparency,” Khanna said, adding that lawmakers should determine what Rubio and Lutnick knew. He alleged that Rubio knew about the suspected Chinese spy and was later invited on a trip to China, saying the matter needed further scrutiny.
Rubio did not respond to a request for comment.
The lawmakers’ comments suggest Democrats may use their congressional majorities to broaden oversight of the Trump administration. The allegations described have not established wrongdoing by the officials named.
The House can impeach federal civil officers by a simple majority vote. Conviction and removal from office, however, require a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
Republicans accused Democrats of pursuing impeachment for political reasons. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, R-Fla., said after Tuesday’s vote that he was not surprised by Democrats’ interest in impeaching Hegseth. He argued that Democrats were intent on impeaching anyone appointed by the president, whether or not the allegations were supported by evidence.
