White House Quietly Gears Up for Possible Democratic House Win and Impeachment Threat

The administration is privately recruiting experienced lawyers to defend against a surge of legal actions that could accompany a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives in the November midterms. Former White House officials Michael Williams and Emma Doyle say staff are already assembling teams that handled impeachment defense during President Donald Trump’s first term. The effort includes the return of advisers Jason Miller and Johnny DeStefano, as well as OMB general counsel Mark Paoletta, to bolster the White House’s midterm strategy.

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Democrats are positioned to flip the chamber, echoing the 2018 battles that produced impeachment inquiries into Trump and investigations of his inner circle. House Democratic Caucus vice chair Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) has signaled intent to examine Trump’s ICE policies, alleged family stock trades, and the Justice Department’s use against political opponents. The White House maintains that it is “prepared to respond to oversight requests, no matter who is in the House or Senate,” according to a press official.

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Republican officials argue that Democrats are overconfident. RNC spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre warned that the party is “already chomping at the bit to go after President Trump” and urged Democrats to focus on internal disputes rather than a “never-ending witch hunt.” Meanwhile, Trump himself warned that failure to win the midterms would give opponents a pretext for impeachment.

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• “They’re ready for that eventuality,” — Michael Williams, former White House official

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• “I don’t think they’re ready to concede that that’s the likely outcome, but they’re certainly prepared in that event.” — Michael Williams

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• “It’s tough because you’re recruiting in an environment where you’re like ‘come sign up and serve. It’s going to be great. We’re probably almost certainly going to be impeached,’” — Emma Doyle, former OMB chief of staff

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• “You got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just going to be, I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me. I’ll get impeached,” — Donald Trump, President

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• “Impeachment is an indictment and you have to gather evidence and do hearings and interview witnesses, get documents,” — Rep. Ted Lieu, House Judiciary Committee member

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• “We’re not even through primary season and Democrats are already chomping at the bit to go after President Trump. Not only are they ahead of their skis, but the American people have already seen this show and rejected their agenda outright,” — Natalie Baldassarre, RNC spokesperson

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