Axios has a story about how Matthew Miller and Tucker Eskew, described as “veterans of high-profile campaigns, now partners at Vianovo, a bipartisan management and communications firm,” are telling clients “that a ‘tsunami of Congressional oversight’ is headed straight for corporate America if, as is likely based on history, Democrats win the House in November’s midterms.”
Miller tells Axios that “it’s going to be so much worse than they expect.”
According to the story, Miller and Eskew are telling clients that companies “that prepare in advance stand a much better chance of emerging with their reputations intact … the subpoenas are coming. The only question is whether companies will be ready.”
Indeed, they say that “‘due to two key changes in Congressional Democrats’ thinking, the focus on corporations is likely to be more intense than ever, and executives who are not prepared risk being swamped by a legal, political, and media onslaught.’
“Larger corporations are likely to be the focus since for Democrats on the Hill, aggressive oversight of private companies is ‘a means for exposing alleged abuses by the Trump administration.’
“From their experience with the first Trump administration in 2019 and 2020, Democrats know the White House is likely to refuse to turn over documents. So administration probes ‘will be supplemented by piercing corporate investigations.’
“Among the possible focuses of Democratic oversight probes: algorithmic pricing … health care … crypto & digital assets … utilities & energy … trade & tariffs … AI & tech.”
KC’s View:
It is important to keep in mind that Miller and Eskew have a vested interest in a) making these observations, and b) their predictions being accurate. It’s good for their business model – part of their gig is to help companies navigate this stuff. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re wrong. In fact, I think they’re probably right.
It seems entirely plausible that while the Trump administration may be the actual target, corporations could end up being collateral damage.
But my broader observation would be that it is important for both politicians ands business leaders to remember that they do not exist in a vacuum, but rather part of a continuum. If one governs as if he or she is always going to be in the job, and will not be replaced by someone of a different political/governmental/philosophical persuasion, that leader has to expect consequences. Whether one is a president, senator, member of the House of Representatives, governor or even a mayor, these folks have to remember that they are temporary holders of their offices.
The same goes for business leaders. Sure, it is critical to navigate the tides and currents of the politics of the moment. But tides and currents shift, and to pretend otherwise is a mistake.
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