Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has agreed to give testimony before a House Judiciary Committee panel regarding Donald Trump’s hush money trial. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying documents in 2016 to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels over an alleged 2006 affair. Despite his convictions, the former president has maintained his innocence and plans to appeal the court’s ruling. He has also argued for “presidential immunity,” even though the crimes occurred before he took office, which will be debated before the US Supreme Court.
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan demanded Bragg and prosecutor Matthew Colangelo participate in a House panel on 13 June. Jordan, a staunch Trump supporter, labeled the trial as an “unprecedented political prosecution” against the former president. Bragg’s attorney confirmed his willingness to cooperate, but cited potential scheduling conflicts for the proposed date.
The prosecutors have yet to recommend sentencing for Trump, with his hearing scheduled for 11 July, just before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Despite Jordan’s threats to withhold funding from the Justice Department for investigating Trump, the prosecutors are cautious about participating in a public hearing while the trial is ongoing.
The letter from Bragg’s attorney indicated his willingness to participate, while also expressing concerns about the timing and purpose of the hearing. Jordan’s criticism of the trial as a “travesty of justice” reflects the ongoing political divide surrounding Trump’s legal troubles.