Live updates: Manhattan DA defends Trump probe and says House GOP request to info is excessive

Today, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office wrote a long letter to three House GOP Committee chairmen, arguing that they have exceeded their limits in trying to get information about Trump’s hush money case.

Bragg’s general counsel Leslie B. Dubeck wrote on behalf of the Republican chairmen that they are embarking upon an unprecedented inquiry into “pending local prosecution”.

Bragg received a letter from the GOP chairmen earlier in the week asking for information about Trump’s case and the federal funding that the DA’s office receives. She replied that their “requests” were an illegal intrusion into New York’s sovereignty.

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Dubeck stated that the letter sought non-public information regarding a criminal investigation that was confidential. He also said that it was clear that Congress does not have any legal task to oversee local prosecutors who enforce state law.

Bragg’s office would not permit New York to be impeded by the congressional investigation, she said. However, they also promised to prepare a letter detailing their use of federal funds.

Bragg’s Office also wants to meet with members of the committee “to better understand the information that the DA’s Office has that relates to a legitimate Legislative Interest and can be shared in accordance with the District Attorney’s constitutional obligations.”

Dubeck stated that Trump will face charges if he is charged with violating the rule of law. He also said that Trump’s faithful execution of his duty required it.

Former prosecutors Mark Pomerantz, Carey Dunne and Carey Dunne were involved in the investigation of Donald Trump. They are now being called upon by the House Judiciary Committee chair to give documents and testimony to the GOP-led group.

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Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan asked former prosecutors for documents back to January 2017 as well as any communications between their office and federal law enforcement agencies regarding the DA’s investigation into Trump.

Jordan wrote to former prosecutors, “Your actions as a special prosecutor, and since leaving District Attorney’s Office, cast serious doubt on fair and impartial justice in the matter.”

He mentioned the resignations of former prosecutors last year, which they claimed was due to Bragg’s reluctance against bringing charges against Trump and a new book written by Pomerantz.

According to NBC News, the Manhattan grand jury that is currently investigating Trump’s hush money case is not expected today.

According to three sources familiar, the grand jury was due to return to lower Manhattan court on Thursday. However, it is expected that it will meet about a separate case.

The jury members have been meeting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney, told them to stop yesterday.

These developments occur as the grand jury is about to vote on an indictment of former president in the case hush money.

Evan Corcoran was seen at the Washington federal courthouse this morning to attend a closed-door hearing with Chief Judge James “Jeb” Boasberg. He just assumed the top spot in the D.C. Circuit. This hearing could be connected to a subpoena that Jack Smith issued for testimony from Mike Pence, special counsel.

On his Truth Social account, the former president called Bragg a “SOROS BACKED ANIMAL” who “JUST DOESN’T CARE ABOUT RIGHT & WRONG NO MATTER HOPE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HURT.” This is a reference liberal megadonor George Soros who supported Bragg’s campaign for DA through Color of Change PAC.

“WHY WON’T BRAGG DROP THE CASE?” Everyone says there is no crime here. I DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG. It WAS ALL MADE UP ONE CONVICTED NUT JOB WITH ZERO CREDIT, WHO HAS BEEN DISPUTED AT EVERY TURN BY HIGHLY RESPECTED PERSONALS,” Trump stated, referring to Cohen.

Trump said, “THIS IS NOT A LEGAL SYSTEM. THIS IS THE GESTAPO. THIS IS RUSSIA and CHINA, BUT BETTER.” DISGRACEFUL!”

This week, President Joe Biden announced new steps to conserve water and land. He met with Ted Lasso’s cast to discuss mental health, and then released a 500-page economic report.

There has not been an acknowledgement of the drama that has gripped Washington: the possible criminal conviction of his past rival and potential future rival, Donald Trump.

There is no set of guidelines for how a president should act when a predecessor is accused of a crime. This has never happened in American history. According to White House sources and Democratic strategists, Biden has chosen to remain silent, and to avoid any scrum that could threaten to bring him in.

Trump is not the only case under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney.

The investigation into the classified documents found at Trump’s Florida home by Jack Smith, the special counsel, presented enough evidence to prove that Trump committed a crime through his lawyers. A U.S. District Judge ruled Friday night. A source briefed about the proceedings confirmed that it was NBC News.

The U.S. District Judge Beryl Whatell, who is based in Washington, D.C., did not rule on Trump’s guilt of a crime.

Howell ruled in favor applying the “crime Fraud” exception. This would allow prosecutors to compel Evan Corcoran, Trump’s lawyer, to testify.

Today’s grand jury will return — which opens up the possibility for prosecutors to ask the panel to vote on a Trump accusation.