Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., on Monday dismissed concerns that congressional Democrats might spend too much time investigating the Trump administration after regaining control of Congress as a media-driven "narrative."
During an interview on CNN, Raskin was pressed by host Brianna Keilar, who cited comments from newly elected Senator Adam Hamilton, who expressed a desire not to spend the next two years in trials. Keilar noted this sentiment was being heard from "a lot of those Democrats who did come in."
Raskin interrupted Keilar, stating, "That's a narrative the media is trying to drive." When Keilar asked if other Democrats would be disappointed by the time spent on investigations, Raskin responded by highlighting the capacity of various committees and the incoming class of representatives and senators.
"We're going to be able to do it all," Raskin said. "We're going to be able to get Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, health insurance back to the American people. Millions of people have been thrown off of their health plans because of the actions of the Trump administration and their wretched, hideous bill."
He also mentioned restoring food benefits through the SNAP program and reversing Trump-era tariffs, which he argued would lower prices. Raskin suggested that if Republicans are serious about distancing themselves from former President Donald Trump and avoiding further involvement in the Iran conflict, they could work with Democrats on such issues.
"We can work together on all those things. That will bring gas prices and diesel prices down. We can all work together. Corruption and affordability are really the same issue here with the Trump administration, as usually they have been," Raskin added.
Despite Raskin's assertion that the focus on investigations is a narrative, other prominent progressive figures have publicly advised against congressional Democrats prioritizing inquiries into Trump. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Sunday, while acknowledging the need to hold the Trump administration accountable for alleged corruption and illegal actions, stressed that Congress must also address pressing issues like child poverty, senior poverty, and the economic and privacy threats posed by artificial intelligence.