US President Donald Trump took a tough stance against the Democratic Party after the Republican Party suffered a heavy defeat in the midterm elections. He nominated Dana White, president of the mixed martial arts organization UFC, for the position of White House spokesperson and ordered the Justice Department to investigate the Democrats on charges of extortion and political intimidation. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is preparing to use its congressional majority to intensively scrutinize the Trump administration.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump adopted a confrontational stance following the Republican Party's significant losses in the midterm elections. He nominated Dana White, UFC executive and close supporter, to become White House spokesperson and directed the Justice Department to investigate Democrats for allegations of intimidation and extortion.
The recent midterm elections resulted in a landslide victory for the Democratic Party over the Republicans, setting the stage for Democrats to control both the House of Representatives and the Senate starting January next year. Party leaders have announced plans to rigorously investigate President Trump and his administration.
However, Trump showed no sign of softening despite the defeat, posting on social media that Dana White should become White House spokesperson, calling him a fighter and fierce warrior.
White, currently the president and CEO of UFC, told reporters after attending a boxing event in London on Saturday evening that he was traveling to Washington and would meet President Trump at the White House on Monday, adding he would provide more details after the discussion.
Previously, White shared an image possibly created with artificial intelligence (AI) showing him standing behind the podium in the White House press room, captioned "Stepping into a new chapter."
In addition, Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate the Democratic Party, accusing it of "extortion at the highest level," and stating that Democrats are intimidating many individuals. He instructed the department to examine what he described as criminal acts.
Trump denied that anyone in his administration had committed impeachable offenses and called for the imprisonment of those he labeled as extortionists.
The announcement came one day after Trump appointed Stephen Miller, a senior advisor known for his hardline views, as the new White House Chief of Staff. Trump praised Miller as an excellent fighter.
Miller will replace Suzie Wiles, whose departure marks the first personnel change within the White House following the Republican defeat in the midterm elections.
Trump's tough stance echoes his remarks after the 2018 midterm losses, when he declared the White House would operate as if at war to counter any investigations. Subsequently, Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives in 2019 and 2021.
The White House spokesperson position has been vacant since 16 October, after Katie Zacarai served less than a week, succeeding Caroline Leavitt who left the post at the end of August.
White, 57, is the executive of UFC, one of the world's largest and most successful mixed martial arts organizations, whose cage fights are broadcast globally.
Trump named six UFC athletes he wants White to bring on as advisors, including some non-Americans: Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov from Russia; Justin Gaethje and Daniel Cormier from the US; and fighters Trump identified as Kayla Harris—likely Kayla Harrison—and Amanda Nunes, a Brazilian athlete who obtained US citizenship last year.
Trump said these athletes are needed by the US to protect the country from the far left.
Trump and White have had a long-standing close relationship, starting in the early 2000s when Trump's Taj Mahal casino hosted some UFC events. Their bond grew stronger after White endorsed Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
Over the years, Trump has attended several UFC events in Miami, New York, and New Jersey. In June, the White House hosted a UFC cage fight on its South Lawn as part of the US 250th Independence Day celebrations, held on Trump's 80th birthday.
When Trump won the presidency again in 2024, White appeared alongside him during his victory speech.
The White House communications office includes Steven Chong, director of communications, who previously worked for White's UFC organization from 2013 to 2016.
If White officially accepts the position, he will face the critical task of managing communications and handling increasing political pressure after the Democrats' midterm election victory, which gives them control of both congressional chambers.
Holding majorities in both chambers allows Democrats to control committees, subpoena government officials for information, demand relevant documents, and conduct public hearings, potentially subjecting Trump and senior officials to intense scrutiny.
Expected investigation topics include the Trump family's business and digital asset investments, government procurement contracts linked to tech billionaire Elon Musk, federal agency budget and staffing cuts, immigration law enforcement, the war with Iran, and handling documents related to the infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Robert Garcia, the incoming Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee, posted on platform X election night as results became clear: “Get your lawyers ready,” seen as a warning of upcoming investigations into the Trump administration.
Additionally, Democrats may consider a third impeachment of Trump, although party leaders have not committed to pursuing this yet.
Impeachment in the House requires only a simple majority vote, but removing a president requires at least a two-thirds majority in the Senate—a much higher threshold—even though Democrats hold the Senate majority.