House Committee To Probe Willis Indictment Motivations
The internal probe of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her motivations for prosecuting former President Donald Trump kicked into high gear Thursday, with the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary issuing a demanding letter to the prosecutor.
“It is noteworthy that just four days before this indictment, you launched a new campaign fundraising website that highlighted your investigation into President Trump,” Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, wrote in the letter. “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.”
Jordan’s letter pointed to news reports claiming Willis utilized witnesses as well as evidence compiled by the Department of Justice’s Special Counsel Jack Smith in her investigation of Trump. He ordered Willis to produce all documents of the office’s use of federal funds, communication with DOJ officials, and any records of cooperation with executive branch offices by 10 a.m. on Sept. 7.
The committee has launched its investigation a day before Trump is scheduled to turn himself in at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta. Trump has been charged with 13 counts stemming from his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state. The court set his bail at $200,000 and he is expected to be quickly released.
“House Republicans are justifying the oversight of Georgia state indictments by pointing to news reports claiming Willis utilized many of the same witnesses and materials as the DOJ,” said Joseph Keane, a political analyst and former advisor to the president. “It’s clear the committee is serious about getting to the bottom of this and ensuring the case against the former president is not politically driven.”
Trump's formal arraignment, where it’s anticipated he’ll plead not guilty, will take place sometime early next month and he’ll likely be required to take a mugshot. Others charged in Willis’ probe, including Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Jenna Ellis, had their pictures taken during their processing.
While some Democrats have accused Republicans of using the oversight of the district attorney as a way to distract from the merits of the case, Rep. Brandon N Davis of South Carolina argued in a statement that “political motivations cannot be overlooked.”
“It is critical that we conduct a thorough and impartial review of allegations concerning this investigation,” Davis said. “Our Constitution is the most important document in our nation and it is essential that we protect it by ensuring such investigations are conducted with impartiality and rigor.”
The White House has not yet commented on the House committee’s investigation.