Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is preparing to use the Democrats' return to power in January to launch a series of investigations targeting President Donald Trump's administration, including its covert military and intelligence operations and private donations to White House construction projects.

Himes told The New York Times that he intends to increase congressional scrutiny of U.S. covert operations, arguing that their growing scope requires additional oversight. He criticized the administration's approach while insisting his concerns were not directed at the intelligence officers carrying out the missions.

"Covert action has become much more aggressive worldwide, and the committee would be massively failing at its job if it didn't double down on oversight," Himes said.

Despite acknowledging that intelligence personnel have been open to congressional oversight, Himes indicated that the committee would make the issue a priority under Democratic leadership. His comments signal an expanded oversight agenda as Democrats prepare to regain control of the House and its investigative powers.

Himes also plans to scrutinize donations from intelligence and defense contractors to Trump's proposed White House ballroom and 250-foot triumphal arch, projects he dismissed as the president's "vanity projects." He questioned whether companies contributed millions of dollars voluntarily or expected something in return, suggesting the administration may have offered benefits or applied pressure.

"We'll want to understand if they were promised anything," Himes said. "We'll want to understand if they were threatened."

The incoming chairman also accused the intelligence community of experiencing "some real erosion of analytic integrity," criticizing former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's leadership while expressing more favorable views of CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Gabbard's successor, Jay Clayton.

Himes described Gabbard as the "dauphin of MAGA," using a dismissive characterization of the former intelligence chief, while suggesting Ratcliffe has been more protective of agency employees despite their occasional disagreements.

Alexa Henning, Gabbard's former chief of staff, defended her tenure, arguing that the Trump administration had fulfilled its mandate to address corruption and restore public trust in government agencies. She accused Democrats of seeking to reverse those efforts.

Gabbard resigned in May, citing her husband's cancer diagnosis. Trump nominated Clayton in June to replace her as director of national intelligence. Clayton previously served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Himes said he had known and respected Clayton for decades.

Himes has served on the House Intelligence Committee since 2013 and has been its top Democrat since 2023. He is set to replace Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) as chairman in January, placing him in a powerful position to direct investigations into the Trump administration as Democrats take control of the House.