One Republican slammed him as a “pro-criminal.” Another called him a “terrible” prosecutor and that he tends to lose cases, a third into the pockets of wealthy Jewish investors who are often demonized by the far right. suggested that he was
“He should resign and be disqualified,” said New Jersey Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew.
Two weeks after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg announced 34 criminal charges against former President Donald J. Trump, House Republicans will hold hearings Monday to attack Bragg’s criminal record. landed on his home ground and leveled. exaggerated and sometimes outright false accusations.
Rep. Jim Jordan, a Republican of Ohio and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, convened a panel at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building to ostensibly criticize Mr. We heard from eyewitnesses. But its unmistakable subtext was an effort to undermine the man prosecuting Trump.
The result was fiercely hostile hearings that unfolded in a carnival-like atmosphere, drawing angry protesters from the left and right, holding signs, and squabbling between Democrats and Republicans. He threw insults that were slightly more bitter than the debate.
At one point, Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia accused Republicans of traveling to New York to track down Mr. Bragg, saying they were acting like “jackboot thugs.” .
The single elected official likely has little impact on crime trends in the metropolitan area, although crime in Manhattan, where Bragg took office in January 2022, is down about 2.4% from last year. , a significant increase from last year’s two. years ago.
Yet Republicans have used individual crime victims to try to impeach his record. Witnesses invited by Republicans told personal horror stories of crime encounters in the city, including suffering anti-Semitic attacks and losing loved ones to brutal stabbings. Witnesses blamed Mr. Bragg’s policies, describing New York City as in decline, where crime, like other cities, surged during the pandemic, although crime had plummeted in recent decades.
“We didn’t get any help from his office,” said Madeline, chairman of the Victims’ Rights Reform Council and mother of a murder victim who has been battling the district attorney for months. Blame said, “It was a terrifying experience.”
Democrats pushed back against Republican efforts to smear Bragg and tried to show sympathy for the victims.
California Democrat Rep. Zoe Lofgren said, “Despite your good faith, I am concerned that you are being used for political purposes,” prompting objections from witnesses.
The hearing took place a week after Mr. Bragg. filed a lawsuit I object to Jordan’s attempts to prevent Republican lawmakers from intervening in his case against Trump.I worked on the investigation for about a year.
When congressional hearings began on Monday, Jordan’s attorneys filed a response to Bragg’s lawsuit, calling it an “unusual and unconstitutional” attempt to get a judge to interfere in a congressional investigation. .
A lawyer for Bragg declined to comment on Jordan’s response.
Hearings were repeatedly interrupted by protesters and rioters. At one point, a group loudly tried to enter the hearing room, chanting “Let’s in!” They posted a sign reading “Jim Jordan, Riotist” and a “34 He held up a sign that read, “Felony,” referring to the charges against Trump. Trump.
Anti-Semitism was evident. Outside the Javits building, a man held a sign bearing the name of investor George Soros, a Jewish Holocaust survivor, along with an image of a star of David and a dollar sign. Several Republicans at the hearing also accused Mr. Soros of aiding the campaigns of progressive prosecutors, including Mr. Bragg.
“With anti-Semitic tropes emanating from House Republicans, it’s not surprising to see Republicans bring this anti-Semitism to New York outside of a stunt hearing in Manhattan today, but not so demeaning. No,” said New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the top Democrat on the committee.
Confusion ensued as Congress left, and anti-Bragg protesters jeered.
During the hearings, Democrats and Republicans engaged in heated debates over the crime situation in New York and across the country.
Serious crime in New York this year is down slightly from the same period last year. according to the latest statistics. but, like cities all over the country, New York saw a surge in murders and shootings during the coronavirus pandemic.Serious crime increased last year But murders, shootings and other crimes continue to decline.
Bragg called New York “the safest big city in America,” and emphasized that it has a lower crime rate than cities in many states that criticize Republicans, including Columbus, Ohio, just south of Jordan’s precinct. bottom.
Rhode Island Democrat Rep. David Cicillin said, “How do we move hearings in a city or state that has a serious crime problem, namely Ohio?” rice field.
Republicans said when Bragg took office last year, not prosecute certain misdemeanors – but We have since amended these policies amid backlash — caused a crime.
“Imagine,” said Mr. Jordan. “Leaving criminals on the streets increases crime.”
A spokesperson for Bragg countered in a statement: We work tirelessly every day to provide facts and data to keep our homes safe. ”
For much of the hearing, Republicans avoided mentioning Trump by name, trying to keep the focus on New York’s crimes.
But Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy made the connection, arguing that Mr. Bragg had no business prosecuting Mr. Trump.
“Is it former President Trump who killed your son?” he asked one victim. “Is it former President Trump who killed your loved one?” he asked another.
