Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has agreed to testify before a Republican-led congressional subcommittee, but this will likely occur only after former President Donald Trump is sentenced in July.
House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan had reached out to Bragg in late May, following Trump’s conviction in a hush money case. Jordan accused Bragg of conducting a “political prosecution” and requested his testimony at a June 13 hearing.
In response, Leslie Dubeck, the general counsel for Bragg’s office, confirmed their commitment to voluntary cooperation. She indicated that Bragg, a Democrat, would be willing to testify at a mutually agreed-upon date. However, Dubeck pointed out that the date proposed by Jordan posed “various scheduling conflicts.”
The ongoing Trump prosecution complicates the timing. Trump was found guilty of falsifying records to conceal hush money payments to a pornographic film actress during the 2016 presidential campaign. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 11. Prosecutors are currently preparing their recommendations for the judge regarding Trump’s punishment.
Dubeck’s letter emphasized that engaging in a public hearing before the sentencing could disrupt the legal proceedings. She referenced numerous orders from the trial and appellate courts aimed at ensuring a fair trial in the People v. Trump case, stating that participating in a hearing at this juncture could jeopardize those efforts.
Bragg’s office suggested discussing an alternative date with the subcommittee and requested more details about the scope and objectives of the proposed hearing.
Additionally, Jordan has requested testimony from Matthew Colangelo, a lead prosecutor in Trump’s case. While Bragg’s office did not outright reject this request, the letter mentioned that they would “evaluate the propriety” of having an assistant district attorney testify publicly about an ongoing prosecution.
Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, has threatened to withhold federal funding from any entity prosecuting a former president. He has also criticized what he sees as the “weaponization of the federal government.”
Previously, Jordan’s committee managed to secure a deposition from Mark Pomerantz, a former prosecutor on Trump’s case, despite Bragg’s objections. However, Pomerantz’s testimony was limited, as he declined to answer many questions to avoid the risk of disclosing confidential grand jury information, which could lead to criminal prosecution.