OnPolitics: Behind the contentious House GOP hearing in New York: Crime? Or Trump?
Hi there OnPolitics readers. Congress is back in session after a two-week recess and the House hit the ground running.
The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee held a contentious hearing today in New York to highlight what they claim is rampant crime in New York City.
However, Democrats have pushed back on that categorization, saying that the hearing’s real aim is to interfere with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg after he indicted former President Donald Trump.
"We're here today in Lower Manhattan for one reason and one reason only: The chairman is doing the bidding for Donald Trump," said Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., whose district includes Manhattan.
Here’s what you need to know:
GOP sets sights on Bragg: House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, called on Bragg to testify before the committee, but Bragg declined.
Bragg has also filed a lawsuit against Jordan, calling the Ohio lawmaker’s inquiry into the Trump case “an unprecedentedly brazen and unconstitutional attack” on a local criminal case.
Jordan countersues: Jordan filed his response Monday to Bragg’s lawsuit, which aimed to block a subpoena to one of his former prosecutors, calling the strategy “extraordinary and unconstitutional.”
The House Judiciary Committee is investigating Bragg because he vowed to investigate Trump as part of his 2021 campaign for Manhattan district attorney, Jordan said in his court filing.
Democrats slam hearing: Nadler said the hearing was an effort to intimidate and deter Bragg from his work, calling it “an outrageous abuse of power” and “weaponization” of the committee amid outbursts from the audience.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., also accused Republican lawmakers of using the hearing to disrupt and interfere with the prosecution of Trump.
🕵️ Keep reading: GOP holds hearing on NYC crime. Democrats say it's to do the bidding for Donald Trump.
🏃♂️ In case you missed it: House GOP to clash with Bragg in NY hearing on crime, Biden on debt ceiling as Congress returns
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