Jim Jordan’s probes of Manhattan and Fulton DAs push boundaries in Congress.
The House Judiciary Committee Launches Second Inquiry into Criminal Case Against Former President Donald Trump
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), has sent a letter to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, initiating its second inquiry into a local criminal case against former President Donald Trump. This move comes after the committee’s previous involvement in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s prosecution of Trump in New York.
Committee Chairman Asserts “Substantial Federal Interests”
In the letter, Chairman Jordan argues that Willis’s prosecution involves “substantial federal interests,” a point he and other committee chairmen have emphasized throughout the year in their exchanges with District Attorney Bragg. Bragg, however, accused the chairmen of inappropriate interference in state affairs.
“Their attempted interference with an ongoing state criminal investigation—and now prosecution—is an unprecedented and illegitimate incursion on New York’s sovereign interests,” Bragg wrote in response.
These exchanges eventually led to a lawsuit filed by Bragg, seeking to prevent Jordan from subpoenaing one of his former attorneys and to halt what he called a “constitutionally destructive fishing expedition” by Congress. However, a federal judge ruled in favor of Jordan, recognizing his authority to investigate Bragg’s case for legislative purposes.
Jordan Outlines “Substantial Federal Interests” to Willis
In an effort to avoid a similar back-and-forth, Chairman Jordan has provided explicit details to District Attorney Willis regarding the “substantial federal interests” he has with her office. Willis recently indicted Trump and 18 others, including former White House officials, on felony racketeering charges related to their alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Jordan has requested several documents and communications from Willis, citing four justifications for the demand:
- The indictment raises concerns about the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, as it appears to regulate the conduct of federal officers acting in their official capacities.
- The federal government has the authority to investigate matters affecting the welfare of former presidents, who are entitled to federal benefits even after leaving office. The indictment implicates the 2024 presidential election, in which Trump is the GOP front-runner.
- Congress has jurisdiction over federal dollars and can investigate any district attorney office’s expenditures involving federal funds.
- Questions arise regarding the coordination between Willis’s office and the Department of Justice, particularly in relation to the federal indictment brought against Trump by special counsel Jack Smith in Washington, D.C., related to the 2020 election.
Jordan asserts that Congress has a vested interest in any activity involving federal law enforcement agencies falling under its oversight.
Response and Criticism
Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA), a committee member and former military prosecutor, criticized Jordan’s inquiry as “stupid,” specifically addressing the involvement of DOJ and FBI agents with local law enforcement.
“His ‘investigation’ is stupid,” Lieu wrote on social media. “DOJ and FBI agents work with local law enforcement all the time. Totally irrelevant if they did that here, or not.”
Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), the committee’s ranking member, did not comment on the Willis investigation. However, earlier this year, Nadler criticized committee Republicans for prioritizing “defending Trump” over allowing Bragg’s case to proceed in court.
Ongoing Inquiries and Legislative Considerations
Jordan’s inquiry into Bragg’s prosecution has seemingly been dormant since his successful lawsuit and deposition of Bragg’s former attorney. However, a spokesperson confirmed that the inquiry remains open, and the committee is also considering legislation related to Bragg’s indictment, such as the No More Political Prosecutions Act proposed by Representative Russell Fry (R-SC).
As for the inquiry into Willis, Chairman Jordan has given the district attorney until September 7th to respond with the requested materials.
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