Bragg defends Trump's indictment against allegations of unlawful political interference
Bragg defends Trump's indictment against allegations of unlawful political interference In a letter addressed to Republican lawmakers on Friday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg defended his office's decision to indict former President Donald Trump,
dismissing allegations of political bias as unfounded and inflammatory. Bragg's general counsel, Leslie Dubeck, penned the six-page letter in response to the Republican committee chairs who had requested internal details of the criminal investigation.
The letter was issued one day after Bragg's office announced the unprecedented indictment of a former president and disclosed that negotiations were underway with Trump's legal team regarding his surrender. While the specific timing of his arraignment and surrender has not been determined, a source familiar with the matter suggested that they are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.
Bragg defends Trump's indictment against allegations of unlawful political interference
The legal system, government, and country are venturing into unfamiliar territory as they have never before indicted or prosecuted a former president. While the exact evidence against Trump has not been disclosed, it seems that the case revolves around payments made to adult film actress, Stormy Daniels, in 2016 in exchange for her silence regarding an alleged sexual relationship during Trump's first presidential campaign.
Bragg defends Trump's indictment against allegations
The indictment, which is still confidential, led to a barrage of criticism from Trump's supporters, who criticized it as a biased investigation. Although Trump has urged demonstrations, and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called for them on Friday, the majority of House Republicans have pledged to scrutinize the Democratic district attorney by asking for details and records concerning the investigation.
Bragg defends Trump's indictment against allegations of unlawful political interference
The letter addressed to lawmakers and obtained by POLITICO was utilized by Bragg's office to refute accusations of political partiality. According to the letter, Mr. Trump is entitled to contest the charges in court and can utilize all legal procedures and protections provided by New York State's criminal justice system. Nonetheless, both Mr. Trump and Congress are prohibited from obstructing the regular course of proceedings in New York State.
As per an individual familiar with the matter, Juan Merchan, a state judge, is likely to oversee the arraignment and potentially lead the criminal proceedings.
Furthermore, Bragg's office made use of the letter to urge Republicans on Capitol Hill to maintain composure, while simultaneously accusing them of participating in "illegal political intervention."
The author of the letter addressed the Judiciary, Oversight, and Administration Chairs, Jim Jordan, James Comer, and Bryan Steil, urging them to avoid making inflammatory accusations and to withdraw their request for information. The letter further emphasized the importance of allowing the criminal justice process to proceed without any unlawful political interference.
Bragg defends Trump's indictment against allegations of ulna
She continued by pointing out that as Committee Chairmen, they have the opportunity to use the authority of their positions to denounce these attacks and promote respect for the fairness of the justice system and the impartial grand jury. However, instead of doing so, they have collaborated with Mr. Trump's efforts to discredit the integrity of elected state prosecutors and trial judges, and have made baseless allegations about the politically motivated nature of the Office's investigation conducted by an independent grand jury composed of ordinary New York State citizens.
On Friday, Trump increased his rhetoric by targeting Merchan, the judge who he expects will preside over his case.
Trump took to social media to complain about the judge assigned to his "witch hunt" case, stating that the judge, Merchan, "hates me." He was dissatisfied with Merchan's handling of the separate proceedings initiated by the district attorney's office against the Trump Organization, which he claims were treated "viciously."
Bragg's office expressed concern that the House GOP inquiries seemed to be more of an interference for Trump than legitimate congressional oversight. Dubeck supported this concern, highlighting some of the committee members' statements about their objectives. She mentioned Greene's call for Republicans in Congress to subpoena these "communists" and end the situation, as well as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's (R-Fla.) request to scrutinize lawmakers who are "being silent on what is currently happening to Trump."
Bragg defends Trump's indictment against allegations of unlawful political interference
From a legal standpoint, the comments and motives of individual lawmakers typically do not carry much weight when a congressional committee takes action. Trump repeatedly cited the comments of individual committee members who planned to use his tax returns in his failed attempts to prevent Congress from obtaining them.
Greene urged Trump supporters to gather in New York on Tuesday and stated that she would be present herself. She tweeted, "We MUST protest the unconstitutional WITCH HUNT!" This tweet differed from her reaction the day after Trump first suggested he could be arrested when she told reporters on the sidelines of the House GOP retreat that she would not be traveling to New York.
As of Friday, there were no indications of significant street protests or organized activities centered on the courthouse, although there was heightened security and a large media presence. Bragg arrived at around 7:30 a.m., but there was little another movement.
Dubeck, in her letter, provided some details about the federal funding Bragg's office has utilized in relation to Trump-related matters, which House Republicans have suggested may be in jeopardy as a result of the indictment. House Republicans also received a second document on Friday outlining federal grant money the office has secured.
However, she noted that none of the federal grant funding has been used in the current investigation. The district attorney's office has spent approximately $5,000 of federal funds, which was recovered during forfeiture actions, on expenses related to the investigation of Trump or the Trump organization.
Bragg defends Trump's indictment against allegations of unlawful political interference
According to Dubeck, these expenses were accrued between October 2019 and August 2021, with most of them supporting Bragg's predecessor's successful defense of the probe of the Trump Organization before the Supreme Court.
A representative for Jordan did not respond immediately to a request for comment on the letter from Bragg's office. At an event on Friday, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) stated that Republicans should "stop their interference in an ongoing prosecution in a local prosecutor's office."
Despite this, House Republicans have already begun laying the groundwork for a potential subpoena of the Manhattan district attorney, which they have not publicly ruled out. They also appeared to argue in their second letter to Bragg that they believe a subpoena would withstand a legal challenge.
Comer, who mentioned that he has not recently spoken with Trump, referred to the indictment as a "political stunt" but stated that he required more information before Republicans decided what to do next.
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