Sanders Warns Democrats Against Spending Two Years Probing Trump

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., cautioned fellow Democrats on Sunday against devoting their new congressional majorities mainly to investigating President Donald Trump, saying the party's first job is to deliver on affordability. Fox News reported his comments from an appearance on NBC News' "Meet the Press."

The warning comes as incoming House Democratic leaders promise subpoenas and oversight of Trump officials and allies once they are sworn in after winning both chambers in last week's elections.

What Sanders said about investigations and prices

Host Kristen Welker asked Sanders whether spending two years investigating Trump and his officials could put at risk the mandate to lower prices. Sanders answered, "Yes, I do," according to Fox News.

He said Democrats should still hold the administration accountable for what he described as corruption and unconstitutional actions. But he said the party "cannot spend all of our time investigating Trump." He pointed to childhood poverty, seniors trying to live on $15,000 a year, and public anxiety about artificial intelligence and billionaires such as Elon Musk. Sanders said 20% of seniors are in that income situation.

Sanders argued that voters did more than reject Trump. In his view, they are demanding fundamental change rather than small adjustments, and Democrats must stand up to big money and build an economy that works for everyone.

What incoming House Democratic leaders have promised

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., who is set to lead the House Oversight Committee, said Sunday that Democrats could examine Trump's pardons and allies of the president. He named Musk and newly appointed White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Garcia said last week that Oversight Democrats are ready to confront people he described as criminals and swindlers tied to the president's family, and he added, "Lawyer up."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is expected to become speaker, said last week that Democrats will bring accountability to those he accused of widespread corruption. Jeffries argued that officials focused on enriching themselves, relatives, friends or donors are not focused on improving Americans' lives, and he said House Democrats will put the American people first.

The two positions are not strictly opposed. Sanders endorsed accountability, and Jeffries tied it to the argument that corruption distracts from helping Americans. The difference Sanders raised is how much of the party's time and energy investigations should consume.

Sanders on working with Trump

Sanders sharply criticized Trump's temperament, calling him erratic and mentally unbalanced. He also said Trump is not stupid and is a good politician. Sanders suggested Trump might be open to raising the minimum wage to a living wage and to guaranteeing health care for all, and might want credit for doing so. Asked whether Democrats can work with the president, he said maybe, offered no guarantee, and said the effort is worth making.

Why it matters for household budgets

Democrats campaigned on affordability, blaming the Trump administration for higher costs of gas, groceries, housing and health care, according to Fox News. Candidates tied the increases in part to the U.S. military's war on Iran and to Trump's tariffs on other countries.

Fuel costs are one visible measure. AAA reported a national average of $4.02 per gallon as of Sunday, nearly $1 per gallon higher than a year ago. Fox News reported that Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other allies partly attributed Republican midterm losses to the Iran war and the fuel prices that followed.

For voters, the debate over how Democrats use their majorities bears on whether Congress focuses on cost-of-living measures, on oversight of the administration, or on both. Sanders' view is that investigations should not crowd out action on prices, health care and housing.

What's next

The investigations Garcia and Jeffries described depend on Democrats being sworn in and taking control of committees. Sanders' remarks suggest the balance between oversight and the affordability agenda will be an early test for the party's leaders. No specific hearings or subpoenas have been announced in the reporting.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by Fox News