Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is responsible for the criminal case that was announced implicating Donald Trump, isn’t impressed with some of the recent antics from Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who in this Congress leads the House Judiciary Committee.
Jordan, who has also sought materials and testimony related to the criminal investigation Bragg has been conducting into Trump, announced a hearing to be held in New York City spotlighting ostensible problems with crime in areas within Bragg’s jurisdiction. Trump has repeatedly accused authorities investigating him of ignoring real-world crime, which is obviously ridiculous. The idea you can commit murder or arson without consequence is not anywhere remotely realistic. Without particular regard for the specific facts, Republicans have consistently sought to tie crime to Democratic leadership — and, more specifically, violence to such leadership, even as figures like President Joe Biden himself unequivocally condemn violent action at virtually every conceivable opportunity, whether the Capitol riot or protests for racial justice spiraling into chaos are under discussion.
“Don’t be fooled, the House GOP is coming to the safest big city in America for a political stunt,” a statement from Bragg’s office about the pending hearing of the Judiciary Committee said. “This hearing won’t engage in actual efforts to increase public safety, such as supporting national gun legislation and shutting down the iron pipeline… If Chairman Jordan truly cared about public safety, he could take a short drive to Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Akron, or Toledo in his home state, instead of using taxpayer dollars to travel hundreds of miles out of his way.” The message also cited some relevant statistics on crime in New York City showing recent declines in rates of serious criminal offenses, like shootings. Other locales, including in Ohio itself, have recorded sometimes significantly higher offense rates in key categories, though Republicans’ efforts continue.
The Judiciary Committee’s hearing is next Monday in New York. Jordan’s panel has also subpoenaed Mark Pomerantz, who was a top prosecutor with what became Bragg’s team and worked on the Trump investigation. Jordan’s pushes for insider information have driven accusations of at least seeking to meddle in Bragg’s investigation, something legal precedents mandate should be left to local authorities, per the prosecutor’s team’s arguments.
https://t.co/kQIlFMsC6X pic.twitter.com/YNq0I2bjas
— Alvin Bragg (@ManhattanDA) April 10, 2023
