Three major tech firms named as targets for new congressional probes

Democratic leaders in Congress have identified Apple, Meta, and companies led by Elon Musk as primary targets for a series of upcoming investigations. These firms are expected to face intense scrutiny regarding their business dealings with the Trump administration over the past two years. The moves began immediately after Democrats secured majorities in the House and Senate.

The House is preparing to examine President Donald Trump's use of Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, during the planning and execution of the military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Lawmakers are also reviewing Apple's role in hosting tracking apps used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Additionally, investigators are looking at Meta's requirements for local governments to sign nondisclosure agreements related to data center development.

Corporate legal teams in Washington have shifted into high gear to prepare clients for these inquiries. Law firms are hosting emergency online meetings and in-person gatherings to advise executives on how to handle subpoenas. Multiple firms are pitching to serve as Musk's personal counsel, anticipating a high volume of casework. One Washington lawyer warned executives in a private meeting on Thursday that this represents a new era of highly publicized oversight.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, who is set to chair the House Judiciary Committee, stated that lawmakers will target areas where the government has been poisoned by quid pro quo corruption. He said the committee will advance investigations to expose that corruption and pass laws to stop it. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-California, the incoming chair of the House Oversight Committee, told constituents on election night to lawyer up in preparation for the coming scrutiny.

Senate leaders have also signaled their intent to act quickly. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, criticized Silicon Valley titans for creating risks while protecting themselves. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, posted on X that tech executives will need to plant new forests to hold all the subpoenas being printed. Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan pledged to take on corporations and billionaires who he said have rigged the system.

Jamie Bair, head of the congressional investigations practice at Crowell and Moring, said the Democratic control of both chambers heightens expectations for speed and severity in these probes. He noted that corporations are more likely to respond to detailed congressional letters than the Trump administration is. This makes firms a key source of information about their dealings with U.S. officials. Bair described this as the playbook investigators will use.

Robert Kelner, chair of the election and political law practice group at Covington & Burling, said clients are actively hiring lawyers and setting priorities for legal protection. He noted that the wave of Democratic investigations is now underway. Kelner told clients all year that winter was coming, and now that winter has arrived.