House Democrats on the Intelligence Committee are ready to pick up where their GOP counterparts left off on the Russia probe when they summarily shut it down after declaring they found no evidence of collusion. In doing so, the GOP House left a trail of unturned stones that Democrats plan to return to as they “ruthlessly prioritize the most important matters first," according to ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff of California.
Democrats tell the AP that they're not looking to reopen a boundless inquiry but rather probe the following matters with a good bit of precision.
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Trump's Finances
Democrats would happily cross over the red line Trump declared on scrutinizing the finances of his family business, the Trump Organization, and particularly whether it has engaged in laundering Russian money. Such an inquiry would help illuminate if Russia uses these financial ties as leverage over Trump.
Also, Trump might want to dust off his tax returns because the Democratically controlled Intelligence panel would push the House Ways and Means Committee to obtain Trump's taxes, an effort that will likely end up in court.
Recalling Witnesses
Democrats have a few lingering questions for people who left certain key questions unanswered and some who even seem to have given misleading statements given what we know now. They include former Trump campaign advisers Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, and George Papadopoulos along with Trump associates Michael Cohen and Erik "Seychelles" Prince.
And let's not forget Don Jr., who says he couldn't recall exactly who was on the other end of that "blocked" call just several days before the now-infamous Trump Tower meeting to discuss getting "dirt" on Hillary Clinton from the Russians. Did Jr. tell Daddy in advance? Subpoenaing Jr.'s phone records could be illuminating.
Public Hearings
The House Intelligence Russia inquiry was conducted entirely behind closed doors, which is fairly standard due to the classified information often handled.
Panel Democrats said they hoped to spread the inquiry out to some committees that would be less restricted and could hold public hearings.
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democratic member of the intelligence panel, says they would try to be more transparent. The Republican investigation was “a way to keep everything behind closed doors,” he said.
Protecting Mueller
The Senate Judiciary Committee actually approved legislation to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller from being removed without cause, but GOP Leader Mitch McConnell failed to take it up in the full Senate.
Democrats would likely look to pass some type of similar legislation to pressure Senate Republicans into taking action.