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White House counsel warns incoming Oversight chairman on subpoena "threats"; Rep. Garcia fires back

Published 4:58 PM CT, Wednesday, November 11, 2026 · Updated 5:06 PM CT
In the 5 PM CT update

White House counsel William Scharf wrote to Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., the Oversight Committee's ranking member who is poised to chair it next year, to "remind you of the foundational limits that the Constitution imposes on congressional investigations and subpoenas," saying compulsory process is for oversight functions "and only for oversight functions," Fox News reported. Garcia responded that "It appears Donald Trump has something to hide" and that Congress' authority "comes from Article I of the Constitution, not from the permission of the White House." Fox noted Garcia had warned "Lawyer up" on Election Day and Rep. Emily Randall said Democrats would pass out subpoenas "like candy."

• William Scharf
• Robert Garcia
• House Oversight Committee
• Subpoenas
• Congressional investigations
• White House counsel
• Separation of powers
• Constitution
• Emily Randall