Conservative Group Warns Trump Staffers of Million-Dollar Probe Risks After Slotkin's Deterrence Message
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 29
Conservative Group Warns Trump Staffers of Million-Dollar Probe Risks After Slotkin's Deterrence Message
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 29
Summary
Rachel Bovard of the Conservative Partnership Institute said young Trump administration officials could face reputational damage and crushing legal costs if Democrats pursue investigations after Sen. Elissa Slotkin's call for a "deterrence message."
Millions of dollars in subpoena-compliance costs from Jack Smith's 2020 election probe underpin that warning, with Bovard saying CPI was never credibly accused of a crime yet still had to turn over broad internal records.
Abhishek Kambli, a former federal prosecutor, said Slotkin's remarks could help targets challenge future congressional subpoenas by showing a punitive motive rather than a legitimate legislative purpose.
Michael Morley said the comments were bad optics but noted Congress still has broad investigative authority, while Hans von Spakovsky said any criminal contempt referral would still depend on Justice Department prosecutors.
Trump has already floated preemptive pardons for aides before leaving office, and Bovard argued that if Democrats regain Congress and the White House in 2028, the investigative process itself could become the punishment.