House Intelligence Committee will investigate whether Russia has leverage over Trump

In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Trump warned Democrats against investigating him, suggesting doing so could harm the economy. The House Intelligence Committee clearly is not fazed.

The committee on Wednesday re-opened the Russia investigation that previously came to a close under Republican leadership, with Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) outlining its scope. The inquiry will look into Russia's interference in the 2016 election and contact between the Trump campaign and Russia, as the old one did. But in addition, Schiff says it will now examine "any credible allegation that financial interests or other interests are driving decision-making of the President or anyone in the administration," per CNN. This, Schiff adds, "includes credible allegations of leverage by the Russians or the Saudis or anyone else."

Schiff also criticized the previous investigation as led by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), saying that it "began to pursue credible reports of money laundering and financial compromise" but that "these and numerous other avenues of inquiry were not completed," per Talking Points Memo. The committee additionally voted Wednesday to provide Special Counsel Robert Mueller with transcripts of interviews it has conducted, The New York Times reports while pointing out that previous transcripts have resulted in charges of lying to Congress.

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Trump lashed out against Schiff in response to the committee's actions Wednesday, first saying he has "never heard of" Schiff and then dismissing him as a "political hack" while complaining of "presidential harassment." Schiff responded, "We are not going to be intimidated by his vulgar threats."