House GOP Calls in AG Garland as Judge in Trump’s Hush Money Case
Washington, D.C.
– House Republicans have formally requested Attorney General Merrick Garland to step aside as a judge in the upcoming trial of former President Donald Trump related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. In a letter to Garland, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, argued that Garland’s “close ties to President Biden and his administration” would create an appearance of bias in the case. Daniels alleged that she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and that he paid her $130,000 in hush money just before the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied the allegations. The case against Trump is expected to go to trial in the Southern District of New York this fall. U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams is currently presiding over the case, but the Republicans are asking for her to be replaced by Garland. “Given your close ties to President Biden and his administration, we believe that it would be inappropriate for you to preside over this case,” Jordan wrote in the letter. “Your involvement in this matter would create an appearance of bias and undermine the public’s confidence in the impartiality of our justice system.” Garland has not yet responded to the request. However, legal experts have noted that it is rare for a judge to recuse themselves from a case solely based on political affiliations. The Republican request comes amidst growing scrutiny over the Biden administration’s handling of the Trump investigation. House Republicans have accused the Department of Justice of targeting Trump for political reasons. Democrats have defended the investigation, arguing that it is necessary to hold everyone accountable for their actions, regardless of their political affiliations. The case against Trump is expected to be closely watched as it could have significant implications for the former president’s political future. If convicted, Trump could face up to 20 years in prison.
House GOP Calls in AG Garland as Judge in Trump’s Hush Money Case
On August 4, 2023, the House Republican caucus subpoenaed Attorney General Merrick Garland to testify before the House Judiciary Committee as a witness in its investigation into former President Donald Trump’s hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The subpoena, issued by Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), requests that Garland produce documents and testify about his involvement in the investigation, including his decision to investigate Trump and his role in the charging decisions related to the case. The investigation stems from a 2016 payment made by Trump’s then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Daniels to prevent her from discussing an alleged extramarital affair with Trump. Cohen later pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations related to the payment. Trump has denied the allegations of an affair with Daniels and has called the payment “a personal matter.” The House GOP has accused Garland of politicizing the investigation and of being biased against Trump. They have also questioned the timing of the subpoena, which comes just weeks before the November 2023 midterm elections. In response, the Justice Department said in a statement that it “will review the subpoena carefully and provide a response to the Committee in due course.” The subpoena is a significant escalation in the Republican-led investigation into Trump’s hush money payments. It remains to be seen how Garland will respond and whether he will ultimately testify before the House Judiciary Committee.
Additional Information
* The subpoena was issued under a new House Republican rule that allows the committee to subpoena witnesses without first holding a vote. * Democrats have criticized the subpoena, calling it a political stunt and an attempt to interfere with the Justice Department’s investigation. * The House Judiciary Committee is also investigating other matters related to Trump, including the January 6th Capitol riot and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.