President Donald Trump may not be Democrats’ only target in 2027, as lawmakers reportedly weigh a sweeping corporate investigation agenda that could put major technology companies, AI labs, banks and energy firms under congressional scrutiny.
Democrats Weigh Sweeping Corporate Investigations
Senior congressional Democrats have been reviewing a 181-page dossier prepared by progressive think tank Groundwork Collaborative, The Washington Sun reported Thursday.
The document identifies hundreds of companies and executives as potential targets for congressional investigations after Democrats take control of the House and Senate next year. While several lawmakers and their aides have reviewed the proposal, it has not been adopted as an official Democratic agenda.
The proposed targets span Big Tech, AI, natural gas, private prisons, nursing homes and other industries.
The roadmap envisions public hearings where corporate executives could face questions about alleged misconduct, excessive fees, consumer data practices and rising prices.
Groundwork argues Democrats should prioritize issues affecting household budgets rather than focus exclusively on Trump’s controversies, including renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the Kennedy Center.
“We need to be laser-focused,” said Alex Jacquez, the think tank’s senior vice president, arguing that corporate pricing practices resonate with voters across party lines.
Warren, Sanders Allies Push Corporate Crackdown
Former aides to Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) spearheaded the proposal.
Both lawmakers could hold influential committee positions, with Sanders expected to chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and Warren likely to lead the Senate Banking Committee.
Other proposed investigations include examining landlords’ fees, credit card companies’ pricing practices, grocery chains’ consumer data collection and whether sports betting platforms use AI to encourage compulsive gambling.
However, moderate Democrats have warned that an overly aggressive corporate agenda could alienate businesses and voters ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Ben Ritz of the Progressive Policy Institute argued that Democrats should pursue targeted investigations rather than portray Corporate America as the source of every economic problem.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), meanwhile, said Democrats were examining “systems and networks” of corruption, not targeting specific corporations.
Groundwork Executive Director Lindsay Owens said the party should pursue CEO resignations and consumer restitution, arguing that economic populism is gaining momentum.
Democrats Target Trump Family, Musk In Sweeping Probes
Democrats are preparing to use their newly won control of the House and Senate to investigate the Trump family’s business dealings, administration officials and major corporations.
This makes alleged corruption a central theme of their 2028 presidential campaign.
Lawmakers have signaled plans for subpoenas and hearings, with potential targets including Elon Musk, Trump’s sons and Republican donors.
However, analysts warn that Democrats risk losing voter support if investigations overshadow concerns about affordability and rising living costs, Reuters reported.
The party will also have to navigate legal battles with the White House while deciding which investigations deserve priority.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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