California Democratic Representative Robert Garcia has pledged to launch investigations into President Donald Trump’s family and senior administration officials, describing the Trump family as corrupt and accusing them of benefiting financially while ordinary Americans struggle with rising living costs.
Garcia made the remarks during an appearance on CNN on Sunday morning, days after securing a third term in Congress in the Democratic midterm election gains.
The congressman is expected to become the next chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, putting him in a position to lead investigations into the Trump administration.
He had signalled his intentions on election night by posting a brief message on social media in capital letters: “LAWYER UP.”
Speaking on CNN, Garcia described Trump and his sons as “the most corrupt family to ever be in the Oval Office and the White House.”
He added: “Donald Trump is the most corrupt person to ever be president of the United States.”
Garcia Raises Questions Over Trump Family Finances
The California representative cited financial dealings involving Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner as reasons for his planned investigations.
Garcia alleged that Trump Jr. received hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Russian oligarch for his wedding and had positions on corporate boards involving companies that secured Pentagon contracts.
He also questioned the $2 billion investment Jared Kushner received from Saudi Arabia after leaving the White House.
“The grift that is happening on the American public, as the Trumps are billions of dollars richer, the American public can’t pay the gas and the groceries,” Garcia said.
He maintained that the financial activities of the president’s family would be among the matters examined by the incoming Democratic-led oversight committee.
Stephen Miller Also Faces Scrutiny
Garcia also directed his criticism towards Stephen Miller, whom Trump recently announced would replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff.
The congressman described Miller as “the architect of this horrific, unjust policy happening across the country” and insisted that he should be investigated.
Garcia specifically referenced Miller’s comments about Alex Pretti, an American citizen who was shot ten times in the back by immigration agents while being restrained during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis.
Miller had described Pretti as a “would-be assassin” and a “domestic terrorist” who allegedly attempted to murder federal law enforcement officers.
Following widespread criticism and the emergence of video evidence contradicting his account, Miller withdrew the claims but did not issue an apology.
Immigration Policies and Detention Practices Under Investigation
Garcia also accused Miller of playing a central role in immigration policies that separate families and cause harm to individuals.
He raised concerns about detention practices, alleging that they had created opportunities for several large companies to profit from what he described as the unconstitutional detention of people.
“That has to be investigated,” Garcia said, adding that Miller had been one of the architects of the policies.
The congressman further argued that Miller was involved in major policy decisions across the administration, including those concerning immigration and Iran.
He said Miller’s influence over these issues made congressional oversight and investigation necessary.
Garcia Doubles Down on Investigation Pledges
Since the midterm elections, Garcia has repeatedly used social media to outline his plans for the incoming oversight committee.
His stated priorities include investigating the Trump family, major corporations, immigration enforcement practices and individuals connected to the administration.
He has also called for an investigation into what he described as a White House cover-up involving the Epstein files.
His comments have attracted responses from senior Republican figures and members of the Trump administration.
Attorney General Todd Blanche Responds to Garcia
After Garcia issued a statement through the oversight committee warning that Miller should lawyer up, Attorney General Todd Blanche responded on X.
Blanche wrote: “The Chief of Staff already has a lawyer. The Attorney General of the United States and the Department of Justice.”
Garcia subsequently challenged Blanche to appear before Congress and testify under oath about the handling of the Epstein files.
“While we have your attention, when are you coming in to testify under oath about covering up the Epstein files? Or are you too scared to come in?” Garcia asked.
Karoline Leavitt Accuses Democrats of Political Retribution
Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also criticised Garcia’s statements during an interview with Lara Trump on Fox News on Saturday night.
Leavitt pointed to his election-night message, “Lawyer up,” as evidence of what she described as the Democratic Party’s focus on political retaliation.
“You had Rep Garcia’s first statement after election night was ‘Lawyer up,’” she said.
She added that the party’s supporters were focused on political retribution, obstructionism and impeachment rather than addressing the priorities of voters who elected them.
Garcia Explains His Clown Meme About Republicans
Despite his aggressive statements about the incoming investigations, Garcia has occasionally adopted a more humorous approach on social media.
On his personal X account, he shared an image of Pennywise, the clown from the horror film It, emerging from a sewer.
He accompanied the picture with the caption: “When they go low this is me.”
Explaining the post during his CNN appearance, Garcia said it was intended as a joke about how Democrats planned to respond to Republican political tactics.
“This is a joke. I mean, basically what I’m saying is when Republicans go low, what we’re not gonna do anymore is just take the high road and turn the other cheek.
We’re gonna get down and be in that fight,” he said.
