White House steps up oversight planning as midterm risks mount

The White House Counsel’s Office has begun privately briefing political appointees across the administration on how to prepare for potential congressional oversight, as officials increasingly anticipate significant Democratic gains in the November midterm elections.

Two people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that the roughly 30-minute sessions include a PowerPoint presentation outlining how congressional oversight functions and best practices for responding to it. The individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss internal discussions publicly.

During the briefings, staff from the counsel’s office have advised political appointees to exercise caution in written communications and provided guidance on responding promptly to congressional inquiries, the sources said.

“It’s obvious to everyone that it’s very likely,” said one of the officials who attended a session, referring to the possibility of Republicans losing at least one chamber in November. “It was a sober-eyed conversation.”

A White House official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the counsel’s office “has provided guidance to relevant stakeholders to ensure oversight compliance and that best practices are followed since January 2025.”

“This is nothing new,” the official added.

However, people familiar with the briefings said more recent sessions—some of which have taken place over the past month—have occurred in a different political context and carry “a strong overtone” related to the upcoming midterm elections.

Within the administration, some staff members view the briefings as preparatory steps amid growing concern that the Republican Party could face electoral setbacks, prompting officials to plan for worst-case scenarios.

President Donald Trump has seen declining approval ratings, partly attributed to economic pressures linked to the Iran war and other major issues. According to a The Washington Post–ABC News–Ipsos poll, Democrats currently hold a five-point advantage in voter preference for House elections, an increase from a two-point lead recorded in both February and October.

Trump and many of his senior aides previously experienced extensive congressional scrutiny during his first term, including subpoenas, depositions, and investigations, which they have described as an unjust and illegal “witch hunt.”

At the same time, Democrats have renewed calls for impeachment after Trump threatened to wipe out Iranian civilisation, revisiting an issue they had largely avoided in recent months.

The president has publicly acknowledged the political risks facing his party, noting the historical challenges for incumbents in midterm elections while emphasising the importance of the outcome.

“You've got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump said in January. “I’ll get impeached.”

By Tamilla Hasanova