White House lawyers preparing staff to face a Democratic majority
At the same time as the Trump administration is trying to increase its control over the midterm elections (see my main item yesterday), it’s trying to get its political appointees ready for Democratic oversight next year.
The White House Counsel’s Office is giving private briefings to the political appointees that include a PowerPoint presentation about how congressional oversight works and best practices for handling it, The Washington Post reports.
Appointees are being encouraged to be careful about what they put in writing and are being guided on how to respond to congressional inquiries in a timely manner, the Post says.
“It’s obvious to everyone that it’s very likely,” says an official who attended a private briefing and spoke to the Post, referring to the possibility of Republicans losing the majority of at least one congressional chamber in November. “It was a sober-eyed conversation.”
President Trump has acknowledged Republicans’ electoral vulnerability, repeatedly saying in public appearances that the incumbent party rarely wins the midterms. He’s also stressed the stakes:
“You got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” he said in January. “I’ll get impeached.”
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House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune