Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has declined to testify about his prosecution of former President Donald Trump to House lawmakers next week, citing scheduling conflicts. In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Bragg’s general counsel, Leslie Dubeck, expressed the office’s commitment to voluntary cooperation but indicated that the proposed date for testimony presented conflicts.
House Republicans had sought to bring Bragg before Congress on June 13 to answer questions about the prosecution of Trump, who was convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump, who maintains his innocence, has called the prosecution a “witch hunt” orchestrated by President Biden and Democrats.
Bragg, who campaigned on a promise to “get Trump,” has faced criticism for the prosecution, with Republicans alleging political motivations. Dubeck’s letter criticized the Judiciary Committee’s invitation for testimony, citing upcoming sentencing hearings for Trump and ongoing legal proceedings as potential obstacles.
Chairman Jordan has proposed an appropriations package to “defund the lawfare activities” of prosecutors involved in politically sensitive investigations, including Bragg. Trump is currently facing legal challenges in multiple jurisdictions, including awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on immunity from charges related to the Jan. 6 investigation.
The committee has been asked to negotiate a new hearing date with Bragg’s office and clarify the scope of the proposed testimony. The situation remains fluid, with spokesperson Stefanie Farrell stating, “Everything is on the table as to what is next.”
It is unclear at this time whether Bragg will ultimately testify before Congress, but the ongoing legal battles involving Trump and the prosecutors highlight the continued political and legal challenges facing the former president.
