(Ken Silva, Headline USA) Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., butted heads at a Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday over whether to subpoena Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and former Justice Department lawyer Matthew Colangelo to testify before them after their controversial prosecution of former President Donald Trump.
According to Republicans, there is reason to believe that the DOJ colluded with Bragg in a coordinated political attack on Trump. Namely, Republicans have alleged that one of the DOJ’s top ranking officials, Colangelo, transferred to aid the Manhattan DA’s office specifically to help a federal effort against Trump.
Gaetz moved Thursday to subpoena Bragg and Colangelo, but Jordan said it was unnecessary because the two lawyers have already promised to testify on July 12. Jordan said he’d issue subpoenas if they change their minds. Ranking member Jerry Nadler, D-NY, also insisted that Bragg and Colangelo will appear on their own accord.
Gaetz disagreed. He said the Judiciary Committee should issue subpoenas now instead of waiting a month to see if they voluntarily appear.
Why haven’t we ever subpoenaed Hunter Biden… @mattgaetz 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pJEFpzhIAI
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) June 13, 2024
“They’re not going to come because we ask, and they’re not going to come because we say so. We may end up in July after sentencing with empty seats and nameplates for Bragg and Colangelo,” Gaetz said.
“This is all professional wrestling. There’s no real effort to bring these people,” he added.
The committee then went into recess for about 10 minutes as Jordan and Gaetz apparently debated the matter. When they returned to session, Gaetz withdrew his motion “based on Jordan and Nadler’s representations,” he said.
Thursday’s hearing focused on how Bragg’s case was illegal because he prosecuted a federal crime that the DOJ declined to charge.
Among those who said the case is illegal was Federal Elections Commissioner James Trainor, a former Trump campaign lawyer.
📑 MUST READ: Witness testimony from today's hearing examining Alvin Bragg's ridiculous prosecution of President Trump.
The Honorable Andrew Bailey, Attorney General, State of Missouri: https://t.co/fXzYZtJomD
Trey Trainor, Commissioner, Federal Election Commission:…
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) June 13, 2024
“Clearly, the DOJ knows a great deal about the federal campaign finance issues that Alvin Bragg has prosecuted. DOJ counsel knew the extent to which they themselves had exercised federal jurisdiction, investigated, and found no illegal activity by anyone other than Michael Cohen,” Trainor testified.
“This encroachment on federal jurisdiction should raise serious concern that qualified candidates will be deterred from seeking public office, fearing that their political activities, past and present, might be subjected to disparate legal standards depending on the locality.”
Ken Silva is a staff writer at Headline USA. Follow him at twitter.com/jd_cashless.
