Graham Platner (D-ME), a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, said he would shut down the White House for two years if Democrats regain control of the Senate [1].
Platner's proposal signals an aggressive strategy to curb the influence of Donald Trump and hold his administration accountable ahead of the midterm elections [4].
During an interview on Wednesday with former White House press secretary Jen Psaki for MS NOW, Platner said he would pursue extensive investigations into the Trump administration [1, 5]. He said he would push to subpoena White House officials as part of this effort [2, 3].
"We need to shut down the White House for the next two years," Platner said [1].
Beyond the executive branch, Platner said he would seek the impeachment of Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito [2, 3]. He said he would investigate Trump if he is elected to office [2].
Platner said these actions are necessary to stop the influence of the former president [4]. The plan involves using the Senate's oversight and subpoena powers to scrutinize administration activities, a move intended to position Democrats for success in upcoming electoral cycles [4].
"I would push to subpoena White House officials and impeach Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito," Platner said [2, 3].
“"We need to shut down the White House for the next two years."”
Platner's rhetoric reflects a broader strategic shift among some Democratic candidates to prioritize aggressive oversight and judicial accountability as a means of mobilizing voters. By targeting both the executive branch and the Supreme Court, Platner is framing the Senate seat not just as a legislative role, but as a tool for systemic checks and balances against the Trump administration's legacy.
