“I played a clip of little Mike Johnson, as I like to call him, laying out how a Democratic majority in Congress would investigate the president, the cabinet, donors and friends,” Psaki said.
“It all sounds, I think, probably to a lot of people watching and a lot of people out there who were infuriated by the level of corruption. Pretty good.”
Psaki then turned the conversation toward Democratic policy priorities, asking how Ocasio-Cortez would balance oversight with issues such as health care and affordable housing.
“But you’ve also talked about a lot of things you deeply care about: health care and affordable housing. I know there are many other things.”
“What do you see as the right priorities? Balance of things, especially as it relates to investigations and accountability? Where does that fall on how much time should be spent on that?”
Ocasio-Cortez responded by highlighting her experience serving on the House Oversight Committee during Trump’s first term in office.
“I mean, I of course, some I spent many years on the oversight, and on the oversight committee in Congress, which is in charge of investigations during the first Trump administration,” she said.
She also referenced her role in a previous congressional investigation.
“I helped on the investigation of Michael Cohen at the time, which led to a record setting settlement from, Attorney General Letitia James.”
According to Ocasio-Cortez, congressional committees are capable of investigating alleged misconduct while lawmakers continue advancing legislation addressing domestic policy priorities.
“But, I think that it really is — it genuinely is a situation of we can walk and chew gum at the same time,” she said.
“There are certain committees that I think will be spearheading real investigations into this administration.”
The congresswoman argued that oversight is necessary to preserve accountability within the federal government and discourage future misconduct.
“There has to be accountability, and it has to be because we cannot allow this level of corruption to consume our public service and our government ever again,” she said.
“And the only way that you allow that are the only way that you set that precedent is by aggressive investigation and consequence.”
She also suggested that congressional inquiries can sometimes lead to action by other authorities outside Congress.
“And often times, some of the things that do come out in congressional investigations sometimes yield to, either state pursuits, etc..”
Ocasio-Cortez dismissed Republican criticism that such investigations would amount to politically motivated efforts targeting Trump.
“And, you know, Mike Johnson paints this as though it’s some partizan witch hunt but if you don’t want to be prosecuted for crimes, don’t do crimes.”
Republicans have frequently argued that Democrats have used congressional investigations and legal proceedings against Trump for political purposes, pointing to multiple investigations launched during and after his first administration.
Democrats, meanwhile, contend that congressional oversight is one of Congress’s constitutional responsibilities. They argue that investigating the executive branch is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability, regardless of which party controls the White House.
The battle for control of the House of Representatives is expected to be one of the defining contests of the 2026 midterm elections. A Democratic majority would shift committee leadership to Democratic lawmakers, providing them with subpoena authority and expanded oversight powers.
Friday’s remarks offered one of the strongest indications so far that Ocasio-Cortez views aggressive oversight of the Trump administration as a key objective should Democrats regain control of the House after next year’s elections.
