Scalise directs GOP chairs to start ‘taking inventory’ of coming Democratic investigations

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) encouraged his GOP colleagues to “maximize our remaining days in power” by preparing for an expected onslaught of Democratic investigations .

In a letter to current GOP chairman, Scalise said the party needs to begin “taking inventory” of expected Democratic probes, asking the group to also assemble a list of investigations the other side of the aisle has already launched.

“They will use their oversight authorities to harass the president, his family, and cabinet officials, and they will seek to destroy our allies. You all will be a key line of defense in this fight,” Scalise wrote.

He also asks the chairs to assemble a likely “target list” of administration officials, programs, and allies such as “conservative partners and industry leaders.”

The information Scalise has asked for is largely public, though assembling it could prove tedious.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, noted to reporters Thursday that he has sent over 200 letters outlining his investigative interests.

“Go back and read my letters. It’s a pretty good trail of crumbs of what we’re going to do,” Raskin said Thursday at a Center for American Progress event.

Complicating Scalise’s request is that the two House panels likely to be the epicenter of Congress’s inquiries into Trump and his family do not yet have clear GOP leadership in place.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has termed out on leading the House Judiciary Committee and has said he plans to run for minority leader .

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) is leaving Congress and was successful in his bid for Kentucky governor.