Democrats Who Ran on Affordability Now Tweet 'Subpoenas' and 'Lawyer Up'

Days after campaigning on grocery, gas and rent prices, incoming House Democrats are talking about subpoenas. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), poised to chair the House Oversight Committee, issued a statement titled "Lawyer Up," according to Fox News Digital.

Before the election, Garcia told CNN that Democratic priorities would include lowering the cost of gas, groceries, mortgages and rent, alongside fighting corruption. After it, he argued on social media that Trump and his family are "ripping off the American people" and framed anti-corruption work as a way to make life more affordable.

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) called the rising cost of living "the number one issue" in a PBS-Chicago voters guide. After the election she posted: "Noem, Markwayne, Miller, Homan, Bovino, what's up? Clear your schedule." Former Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino replied: "Honey, slow your totalitarian roll."

Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.), who won the longtime Republican seat once held by Rodney Frelinghuysen, said Democrats would "toss out subpoenas like Mardi Gras beads." Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), who released a "New Affordability Agenda" in April, posted on election night that Democrats' thanks to the president would come in January "with subpoenas," then called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's impeachment. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) joked about the forests needed for "all of the subpoenas we'll be printing."

Ramirez, Mejia, Markey and Ansari did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Garcia's office pointed to a later post on affordability.

DHS chief counsel James Percival said it was "unfortunate that Democrats are more interested in political shenanigans than in governing." A Justice Department spokesperson said the department is "not afraid of threats from Democrats" and accused them of resuming past "weaponization efforts." White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said Trump remains willing to work with Democrats on issues that help hardworking Americans.

Andrew Arthur of the Center for Immigration Studies noted that Democrats can investigate but cannot change immigration law without a veto-proof majority, since Trump would veto any such changes. Voters who were promised lower prices will have to decide whether investigations count as delivering them.