Democrats are moving to hold members of Donald Trump's administration accountable, and the opening move came from the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the committee's Ranking Member, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin instructing him to preserve documents, according to correspondence posted on the panel's Democratic website. Preservation demands like this are a routine first step in congressional oversight, designed to keep records intact until a committee can formally compel their production through subpoenas or hearings.

"I demand the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) comply with all document preservation requirements, in accordance with applicable Federal laws, and respond to all outstanding requests from the Committee," Thompson wrote.

He also asked for confirmation "in writing" that records and data are being preserved by Nov. 11.

Thompson made clear that the department's previous stonewalling carries legal consequences. "The Department's repeated refusal to cooperate with the Committee's oversight requests — which are essential to effectuating the separation of powers established by the U.S. Constitution — stands in direct contravention of the legal obligations of the Department," he wrote.

The letter ends with a warning: "In the 120th Congress, the Committee intends to address the Trump administration's assault on the rule of law and hold those responsible accountable. I therefore renew all requests made during the 119th Congress and expect all requested information and documents to be produced without further delay, and in no case later than December 2, 2026." The 120th Congress convenes in January 2027, which places that production deadline in the closing weeks of the current 119th Congress.

The preservation demand came alongside a separate letter Thompson circulated to fellow Democrats as he campaigns for the committee's full chairmanship. Politico reported late Wednesday that Thompson has already laid out an agenda for how he intends to stop the Trump administration's violent immigration enforcement tactics, which he called an "assault on the rule of law." Exit polls showed that more than 50 percent of voters said they had complaints about immigration enforcement. House committee chairs are drawn from the majority party, so Thompson's gavel bid runs through the November 2026 midterm elections.

"The next two years will decide whether [the Department of Homeland Security] answers to the Constitution and to Congress," Thompson wrote in the letter obtained by Politico. "I am asking for the gavel because I know how to use it. I would be honored to have your support."

Thompson also pledged a sweeping review of federal immigration spending: "We will follow every dollar Republicans have given ICE since the Big Ugly Bill, including every sweetheart deal and self-serving contract Noem and Corey Lewandowski signed off on. Tom Homan and Stephen Miller would not appear when we invited them this spring. In the majority, they will not have that choice."

Thompson's reference was to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and companion Corey Lewandowski. His "Big Ugly Bill" line pointed to the Republican spending law signed in July 2025 that significantly expanded funding for immigration enforcement. Tom Homan serves as the White House border czar, and Stephen Miller as the White House deputy chief of staff for policy.

Source: Alternet