Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee have written to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, pressing the Democratic prosecutor to clarify details surrounding her indictment of former President Donald Trump and his allies.
The letter states, “Your indictment and prosecution implicate substantial federal interests, and the circumstances surrounding your actions raise serious concerns about whether they are politically motivated.”
United States House Committ… by The Federalist
“Turning first to the question of motivation, it is noteworthy that just four days before this indictment, you launched a new campaign fundraising website that highlighted your investigation into President Trump,” the letter notes. “Additionally, the forewoman of the special grand jury you convened to investigate President Trump earlier this year bragged during an unusual media tour about her excitement at the prospect of subpoenaing President Trump and getting to swear him in.”
“Last week, the Fulton County Superior Court’s Clerk publicly released a list of criminal charges against President Trump reportedly hours before the vote of the grand jury,” the letter continues. “A Fulton County court has disqualified you from targeting current Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones as part of your probe on the grounds that you actively supported and held fundraising events for his Democratic opponent. And unlike officials in other jurisdictions, Fulton County officials ‘have suggested [they] will process [the former President] as [a] typical criminal defendant, requiring mug shots and possibly even cash bond.”
Jordan’s letter goes on to note the suspect political timing of the indictment.
“The timing of this prosecution reinforces concerns about your motivation,” the letter adds. “In February2021, news outlets reported that you directed your office to open an investigation into President Trump. Indeed, sometime on or around February 11, 2021, your office purportedly sent a letter to several Republican officials in Georgia, requesting that they preserve documents relating to a “matter . . . of high priority” that your office was investigating.6 Yet, you did not bring charges until two-and-a-half years later, at a time when the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination is in full swing. Moreover, you have requested that the trial in this matter begin on March 4, 2024, the day before Super Tuesday and eight days before the Georgia presidential primary.7 It is therefore unsurprising many have speculated that this indictment and prosecution are designed to interfere with the 2024 presidential election.”
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH), who signed the letter, also had some questions about Willis’ prosecution of Donald Trump.
Was Fulton County DA Fani Willis working with Jack Smith?
Was she communicating with the Executive Branch?
Were any federal funds used in the investigation of President Trump?
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) August 24, 2023
“Was Fulton County DA Fani Willis working with Jack Smith?” he asked. “Was she communicating with the Executive Branch? Were any federal funds used in the investigation of President Trump?”
House Republicans argue that federal oversight is needed because Willis is allegedly trying to “use state criminal law to regulate the conduct of federal officers acting in their official capacities,” referencing Trump and Meadows. The letter also inquires about the role of Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith and whether Willis’ office “coordinated” with him “during the course of [her] investigation.”
“The House Committee on the Judiciary (Committee) thus may investigate whether federal law enforcement agencies or officials were involved in your investigation or indictment,” the letter states.
Therefore, the Republicans on the committee are requesting Willis to provide all documentation concerning her office’s “receipt and use of federal funds,” interactions with Smith and the DOJ, and any communications with federal agencies about her investigation into Trump and his associates by September 7.
