Reuters and The Washington Post report that Apple is among the tech giants potentially facing congressional investigations as Democrats prepare to take control of both chambers in January. Here are the details.
Democrats prepare for new probes into Big Tech’s ties to Trump
Earlier today, The Washington Post reported that “Democrats are laying the groundwork to investigate some of the country’s largest companies, setting off a scramble among executives who courted the president.”
The report notes that Washington law firms are advising companies and executives on how to prepare for potential congressional investigations, with some also pitching their services to Elon Musk:
Multiple firms have crafted pitches for why they should serve as Musk’s personal counsel, aware that the world’s richest man is likely to receive a barrage of subpoenas and that any casework stemming from those investigations will be both lucrative and the highest-profile investigative work available in the coming year, according to two of the people.
When it comes to Apple, the report noted that lawmakers are gearing up to investigate the company “over its hosting of tracking apps used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
While the report refers to Apple’s hosting of tracking apps used by ICE, the company has previously faced scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers over its decision to remove apps used to track ICE agents from the App Store.
Last year, Apple removed ICEBlock and several similar apps from the App Store following pressure from the DOJ, citing concerns over the safety of federal agents.
The move came shortly after a gunman opened fire on an ICE facility in Dallas, ultimately killing two detainees in an attack that federal authorities described as targeted violence against ICE.
Since then, Apple has faced questions from Democratic lawmakers over the extent of the Trump administration’s involvement in the decision and whether the removals infringed on constitutionally protected speech.
Reuters, meanwhile, reported that Senator Richard Blumenthal, “who is set to take over as chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations,” called on Apple “and others who donated to [President Trump’s new White House] ballroom project to turn over records” or “face possible subpoenas in January.”
As The Washington Post reported last month, Apple and Nvidia each pledged $25 million toward the ballroom, making them two of the project’s largest donors.
Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters or The Washington Post.
You can read the full Reuters report here, and The Washington Post’s here.
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