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House GOP Delays Bragg Testimony on NY Trump Case

 July 9, 2024

The GOP-led House Judiciary Committee, which had planned to hold a hearing with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, has decided to postpone the session.

This decision to delay follows the recent date change for the sentencing of former President Donald Trump concerning in hush money trial, a proceeding that has now been rescheduled for Sept. 18, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Originally, the hearing with Bragg was slated for Friday. However, with Trump's sentencing postponement, Republican leaders opted to delay the session with Bragg. Trump was scheduled to be sentenced on July 11 after he was found guilty on all 34 counts associated with payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign.

Details of Trump's Hush Money Trial

In May, a jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records with the intent to influence the 2016 election. The case entails Trump disguising reimbursements to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who paid $130,000 to an adult entertainer to keep an alleged affair with Trump under wraps. Trump has consistently denied having the affair.

A notable figure in the controversy, Matthew Colangelo, a former top-ranking official in the Biden administration’s Justice Department who joined the prosecuting team against Trump, was also expected to be present at the originally scheduled House hearing.

Political Accusations Emerged

Republicans have criticized Colangelo, alleging that his involvement in the case against Trump is driven by political motives rather than genuine crime concerns. Indeed, the hearing aimed to explore what the GOP perceives as politically motivated prosecutions of federal officials by state and local prosecutors.

Moreover, the Judiciary Committee has organized a separate hearing on Tuesday to discuss the alleged weaponization of the criminal justice system by the New York County District Attorney’s Office against Trump. This additional hearing will feature witnesses such as Bradley Smith, a professor at Capital University Law School, former judge John Wilson, and Jonathan Fahey, a partner at Holtzman Vogel.

Background on Trial Postponements

The delay in Trump's sentencing from July 11 to Sept. 18 significantly impacted the House Judiciary Committee's scheduling.

Given the intertwined nature of Bragg's testimony and Trump's trial outcomes, the decision to reschedule appeared to be a strategic move.

Furthermore, Bragg's testimony will likely take place after Trump's new sentencing date. There is no announced new date for the D.A.'s appearance, but it seems the Committee intends to wait until all proceedings at the trial level conclude.

Broader Implications of the Delay

This development has broader implications for the political atmosphere, especially concerning how criminal prosecutions intersect with political agendas.

The decision to postpone the hearing raises questions about the timing and motives behind such high-profile cases.

While the GOP has voiced strong opinions, the entire situation underscores the intricate balance between judicial processes and political maneuvering. The upcoming rescheduled hearing will further examine these implications.

Details of Committee's Plan

The Judiciary Committee's focus on the alleged political weaponization points to a broader quest for accountability and transparency in legal proceedings against federal officials. With the forthcoming testimony from identified witnesses, the Committee seeks to shed light on the broader effects of such prosecutions.

The involvement of key witnesses like Bradley Smith, John Wilson, and Jonathan Fahey underscores the seriousness with which the Committee is approaching these allegations. Their testimonies are expected to provide diverse perspectives on the claims of political bias within the legal system.

In conclusion, the House Judiciary Committee's decision to postpone the hearing with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg underscores the complexities entwined with former President Donald Trump's ongoing legal battles.

The postponement, influenced by the delay in Trump's sentencing, highlights the deeply intertwined nature of judicial proceedings and political intervention.

The GOP's allegations against Matthew Colangelo and the broader issues of politically motivated prosecutions will be focal points in the rescheduled hearings.

As both sides prepare for the upcoming sessions, the outcomes will likely impact the political discourse surrounding the prosecution of high-profile figures.