Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will testify before Congress on July 12, just one day after former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money trial. Bragg, who brought the case against Trump, will appear alongside prosecutor Matthew Colangelo before the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee. This hearing, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, aims to scrutinize what Jordan has called a “political prosecution” of Trump.
Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The former president has consistently maintained his innocence and is expected to appeal the verdict.
Bragg’s spokesperson emphasized the DA’s commitment to upholding the rule of law amidst what they termed “dangerous misinformation, baseless claims, and conspiracy theories” propagated by Trump’s allies. The spokesperson added, “Nonetheless, we respect our government institutions and plan to appear voluntarily before the subcommittee after sentencing.”
The hearing is set against a backdrop of Republican efforts to discredit the conviction and the prosecutors involved. Rep. Jordan has been vocal in his criticism, accusing Bragg and others of weaponizing the justice system against Trump. Jordan has proposed withholding federal funds from entities prosecuting former presidents and has demanded transparency from the Justice Department regarding its involvement in the case. However, a Justice Department review found no communication between federal prosecutors and those involved in the New York case.
Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte addressed these concerns in a letter, stating, “The Department does not generally make extensive efforts to rebut conspiratorial speculation…there is no basis for these false claims.” Uriarte added that accusations without evidence undermine confidence in the justice system and have led to increased threats against law enforcement officials.
Bragg, a former civil rights lawyer, inherited the Trump investigation when he took office in 2021. He has faced significant political pressure, with Jordan taking the Judiciary Committee to New York for a hearing criticizing Bragg’s policies. Despite these challenges, Bragg remains focused on his prosecutorial duties.
This upcoming testimony will likely be contentious, as Bragg and Colangelo defend their actions in what has become a highly polarized political environment.
