House Democrats have sent letters to companies and officials warning them not to destroy records. Two key committees issued the notices this week.
The letters signal that oversight of the Trump administration is beginning to take shape. Democrats want to preserve evidence before it can disappear.
Recipients include firms and individuals connected to federal policy. The committees did not name specific targets in the initial notices.
Document preservation letters are a standard first step in congressional investigations. They carry no legal force but create a record of expected conduct.
Democrats took control of the House in January. Committee leaders have promised aggressive scrutiny of executive branch actions.
Republicans criticized the move as premature. They argue the letters amount to political posturing before any formal inquiry begins.
The committees plan to follow up with formal document requests. Those demands could set up court fights over compliance.
