Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has agreed to testify before a GOP-led House committee about his hush-money case against former President Donald Trump.
Last month, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) asked Bragg to testify on June 13 about the “political prosecution of President Trump.”
Jordan also wants Bragg’s prosecutor, Matthew Colangelo, to testify. Colangelo previously worked for New York Attorney General Letitia James and the Justice Department before joining Bragg’s team in 2022.
Critics say Colangelo’s move from federal to local roles is unusual and accuse him of political motivations.
Bragg’s office hasn’t ruled out allowing Colangelo to testify but needs more time to consider the request.
Bragg’s lawyer, Leslie Dubeck, called Bragg’s agreement to testify “voluntary cooperation.” They are working on scheduling the testimony, likely after Trump’s sentencing in July.
On May 30, Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide hush money payments meant to cover up damaging stories, including an alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump denies any wrongdoing and plans to appeal the verdict. He will be sentenced on July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention where he will be named the party’s 2024 presidential nominee.
There are also concerns about a social media post from someone claiming to know how a juror would vote before the verdict was given.
House Republicans are criticizing Trump’s prosecution, suggesting they might cut funding to the Justice Department or hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt.
However, it doesn’t seem they have enough votes to do so. Garland responded that they will continue their work without political influence.
Jordan, who also leads a subcommittee on the Federal Government’s weaponization, previously requested documents from Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis about her prosecution of Trump for alleged election fraud.
Currently, Trump faces 10 counts in Fulton County, but these are on hold pending an appeal regarding whether Willis can remain on the case due to a relationship with the former special prosecutor, Nathan Wade.
The House Judiciary Committee did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday.