World News

White House counsel warns Democratic probes may cross into 'blatant criminality'

Rep. Robert Garcia, set to chair House Oversight, says Congress's authority does not depend on White House permission.

Published Nov 11, 2026 · 19:39 UTC7 reports

The short version

White House counsel Will Scharf warned Rep. Robert Garcia by letter that planned Democratic probes may cross into blatant criminality.[CBS News]
Garcia responded that the president appears to have something to hide and that congressional authority does not come from the White House.[CBS News]
Attorney General Todd Blanche said on CNN that a crime could exist if Democratic rhetoric turned threatening, and later stressed congressional oversight authority.[ABC News]

White House counsel Will Scharf sent Rep. Robert Garcia a letter dated Monday warning that Democratic investigative acts may cross into blatant criminality.[CBS News]
The letter reminded Garcia that congressional investigative acts must be backed by a legitimate legislative purpose.[CBS News]
Garcia is set to chair the House Oversight Committee as of January.[CBS News]
Garcia said the president appears to have something to hide and that congressional authority comes from Article I of the Constitution.[CBS News]
Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a CNN interview that there could be a crime to investigate if Democratic rhetoric turned threatening.[ABC News]
Blanche later said in Missouri that Congress has oversight authority.[ABC News]

Whether any executive branch probe or other enforcement step will follow the letter is not reported.[ABC News · CBS News]
Blanche's suggestion of a possible crime is conditional on rhetoric turning threatening, and he struck a more conciliatory tone in Missouri.[ABC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.