President Donald Trump and his allies are bracing for a significant increase in congressional investigations should Democrats secure a majority in either the House or Senate in the upcoming elections. Sources close to the White House have voiced concerns that the administration is "unprepared" for what they predict will be a "tsunami" of legal and political scrutiny targeting the president, his family, and his business dealings.
Everything from the Trump family's cryptocurrency business, renovations at Trump's Washington D.C. property, stock trades, immigration policies, and the new Air Force One project are expected to come under examination. The release of the Epstein files has also been cited as a potential area of focus. One insider told the Daily Mail that "They have no idea what’s coming," anticipating a surge of Democratic lawyers descending on Washington D.C. to prosecute the president.
The administration's preparedness for this influx of inquiries is largely seen as resting on the shoulders of incoming White House counsel Will Scharf, who is set to replace David Warrington on September 1. White House associate counsel Samuel D. Adkisson is also departing after being nominated for a federal judgeship. Scharf, described as "loyal," "well-liked," and "influential" within the White House, faces the immediate task of staffing up the counsel's office rapidly. "They're going to have to staff up and staff up fast," a legal source told the Daily Mail.
While some legal sources view Scharf as an "upgrade" from Warrington, skepticism remains about whether he is sufficient to handle the anticipated challenges. Some of Trump's more assertive allies have expressed reservations about Scharf's past role in drafting legal memos that advised against invoking the Insurrection Act and raised concerns about suspending habeas corpus for undocumented immigrants. However, others defended his actions, suggesting they reflected a realistic assessment of legal challenges rather than personal opposition.
Scharf has earned Trump's respect through his work on legal matters related to property renovations and his collaboration with newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche on the high-stakes presidential immunity case that reached the Supreme Court.
However, the intensity of incoming scrutiny is expected to be unprecedented, particularly in a scenario where Democrats gain control of the House and potentially the Senate. "Democrats are very angry and agitated and Republicans are kind of fat and happy and complacent," Mike Davis of the conservative Article III Project told the Daily Mail. "It’s going to get ugly, I don’t think Republicans in Congress understand what’s coming."
The White House has seen several high-profile staff departures recently, including legislative affairs director James Braid, deputy chief of staff Emily Underwood, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and deputy national security advisor Andy Baker. Meanwhile, Democrats have already signaled their intentions to pursue extensive investigations and potential impeachment proceedings against Trump.
Sources suggested that relying on House and Senate Republicans for defense could be a mistake if they lose their majority, as a president with low polling numbers and facing reelection restrictions might be perceived as a "lame duck." One source likened the potential legal and political climate to the aftermath of the 2020 election, when Republicans were keen to distance themselves from Trump amid mounting legal challenges.
The White House, however, downplayed concerns about the counsel's office's readiness. A spokesperson stated that "There is no shortage of American patriots who want to serve their country and fight back against frivolous lawsuits and legal battles that seek to slow down President Trump from delivering on his promises to the American people." Trump is also expected to utilize private legal counsel and leverage his MAGA PAC, which reportedly holds a $400 million war chest, for his defense, particularly if faced with another impeachment effort.