The next two years could reveal a lot about the past two.

If Democrats win at least one chamber of Congress in November, they’ll gain sweeping powers to probe President Donald Trump’s actions since he returned to office two years ago.

Already they’re eyeing everything from Trump’s personal financial interests to his efforts to reshape Washington, D.C., in his image. The list of potential targets is so long that Democrats will likely have to decide which investigations to prioritize.

If the Democrats win back the House, they will be able to haul administration officials into committee hearings, subpoena records from government agencies and private companies, and put a spotlight on some of Trump’s most controversial actions.

If they win back the Senate, they’ll also be able to grill administration and judicial nominees.

The promise to fight corruption has become a central tenet of the party’s 2026 campaign message — and a preview of what a Democratic-led Congress could look like in 2027.

Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Georgia Democrat who has grabbed headlines in recent months for his oversight work and pointed questioning of Trump officials, recently told MS NOW he expects that every committee across Capitol Hill will play a role in scrutinizing the Trump administration, predicting that the findings will “shock the American public” and “lay bare the need” to constrain the executive branch. 

Trump has even framed the risks of losing control of Congress in personal terms, telling House Republicans in January that “if we don’t win the midterms ... they’ll find a reason to impeach me.”

The administration has also taken steps that would help it fight congressional inquiries next year. Earlier this month, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel concluded that Trump can invoke executive privilege over communications with certain outside advisers, which could make it harder for Democrats to compel private citizens to testify about their conversations with the president.

So what might be on Democrats’ target list? Lawmakers and candidates have already provided plenty of clues.

Read Kevin Frey’s analysis here.

Congressional Republicans held just 39 in-person town halls this year, compared with 451 for Democrats. GOP lawmakers say the meetings are outdated, ineffective and unsafe, but critics say they’re just trying to avoid angry constituents.

Here are some more highlights of the president’s actions over the past seven days:

The news can feel overwhelming. But each week, we pause to highlight a person, organization or movement sticking up for their principles or their fellow Americans. This week’s challengers are ABC and its parent company, Disney.

Disney has not always been eager to pick a fight with Trump. But this week, the company drew a line. ABC, Disney and eight of its television stations sued the Federal Communications Commission, arguing that the agency is using its regulatory power to punish the network for programming and coverage the Trump administration dislikes. The immediate dispute involves FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s unusual decision to order an early review of licenses held by ABC stations that were not due for renewal for years. ABC says the move threatens its First Amendment rights and could have a chilling effect far beyond one network. The lawsuit follows months of pressure, with Carr criticizing the daytime talk show “The View” and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. ABC argues that taken together, the FCC’s actions amount to an effort to influence who the network puts on the air and what its programs are allowed to say. Read more.

When it comes to artificial intelligence, “to know you more is to love you less,” as the saying goes. At least that’s what people appear to be feeling as they grapple with proposed data centers in their communities and fears of losing their jobs due to AI. A new Pew Research Center poll found that more than half of Americans are “more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI in daily life.” For the first time, 55% of those under 30 said the same, up 24 points since 2021. Some AI executives realize they have a problem. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei acknowledged as much on social media: “I think by far the most accurate criticism of AI companies including Anthropic is that we haven’t yet delivered on our big promises to benefit the world.” If there’s any consolation, the rising opposition is bringing together Republicans and Democrats, the young and the old. Considering today’s polarization, that’s an accomplishment — just perhaps not the one AI leaders hoped for.