The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, is recommending to former Republican National Committee Chairman Alvin Bragg to skip testifying before Congress. This advice comes in light of the ongoing legal proceedings related to the hush money case involving Donald Trump, as demanded by a GOP House Panel.
In a recent case, a New York Jury ruled Trump guilty on 34 counts in a lawsuit initiated by Bragg. The lawsuit pertains to a payment made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, by Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen just before the 2016 election. This makes Trump the first former president convicted of criminal charges.
Despite Daniels denying any sexual encounter with Trump, and Trump maintaining his innocence, the case has been a subject of political controversy. Trump’s legal team is prepared to battle the case, potentially exploring avenues for an appeal if needed.
The former president faces a looming prison sentence as Judge Juan Merchan is set to deliver a verdict on July 11. This date is just before the Republican National Convention, where Trump anticipates nomination by his party.
Shortly after the guilty verdict, Jim Jordan, a Republican Ohio Representative heading the House Judiciary Committee, asked Bragg to appear in Congress for the Trump trial investigation. The hearing on June 13, 2024, aims to scrutinize alleged politically driven prosecutions by state and local prosecutors.
Michael Steele, co-host of MSNBC‘s The Weekend, bluntly advised Bragg to stay away from testifying before the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, labeling it as a mere political show. Steele emphasized the importance of Bragg staying put, calling it the “biggest punking of the year.”
As the case proceeds through the appeals process, Steele emphasized that the current soundbites are just the beginning. With doubts around Bragg’s intentions in pushing the case forward, Steele highlighted that this was not merely a political maneuver, especially following the jury’s guilty verdict against Trump.
Leslie Dubeck, the district attorney’s general counsel, acknowledged and accepted Bragg’s request to testify on his behalf, emphasizing the commitment to voluntary cooperation.
There are ongoing discussions to navigate scheduling conflicts and clarify the scope of the proposed testimony. The aim is to ensure smooth collaboration between the concerned authorities.