New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman has outlined a potential scenario where a Donald Trump administration could respond to congressional subpoenas and impeachment efforts with complete stonewalling if Democrats achieve a majority in Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
Haberman suggested on the podcast "Court of History" that while she can typically anticipate the trajectory of a lame-duck president's final months, Trump presents a unique challenge, describing his actions when feeling cornered as "more wild." She raised the unprecedented question of what happens when an entire government refuses to comply with subpoenas.
Should Democrats retake the House and potentially the Senate, they might seek records and issue subpoenas to Trump allies, lobbyists, CEOs, and tech leaders. Haberman specifically mentioned Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and X owner Elon Musk, who were part of an unofficial government efficiency group during Trump's term, as likely targets for subpoenas, though she noted they could potentially delay compliance.
Haberman expressed uncertainty about the practical implications of such widespread non-compliance, noting that contempt of Congress referrals might be sent to Attorney General Todd Blanche. She suggested that Blanche might not act with urgency, concluding that Trump does not appear significantly apprehensive about potential consequences.