Congress announce new investigation into Donald Trump over potential abuses of power

The US congressional panel has requested documents from 81 government agencies, entities, and individuals including Donald Trump's two sons

Donald Trump is facing a new probe into his conduct after the US congressional panel announced that it has requested documents from 81 government agencies, entities and individuals. The announcement forms part of an investigation into allegations of obstruction of justice and other abuses. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said that the documents would help the committee probe the following: obstruction of justice, including the potential interference by Trump into criminal investigations; public corruption; and finally abuses of power, such as attacks on the free press, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. If significant evidence is found it could form the basis of an impeachment effort of Trump by the Democratic-controlled House, though Nadler and committee aides have reiterated that they begin their inquiry without that outcome specifically in mind. Prominent members of his inner circle, such as Trump's two sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are amongst those to have received the request for documents, along with WikiLeaks, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kusher, former US Attorney Jeff Sessions, and Trump’s chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg. "We have seen the damage done to our democratic institutions in the two years that the Congress refused to conduct responsible oversight. Congress must provide a check on abuses of power," Nadler said in a statement. Donald Trump responded “I cooperate all the time with everybody” when asked if he would cooperate with the sweeping documents request from the House Judiciary Committee. “You know the beautiful thing — no collusion. It’s all a hoax,” Trump said at the White House, according to a pool report.