Jordan Hints At Contempt Proceedings
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan issued a final warning on Friday to Michael Nellis, the CEO of a political consulting firm that employs the daughter of New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial. The warning comes as Nellis continues to resist compliance with a subpoena tied to the committee’s investigation into potential political influence surrounding Trump’s prosecution.
The letter, first obtained by The Daily Caller, marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing standoff between Jordan and Nellis. Jordan's inquiry revolves around Authentic Campaigns, the firm where Loren Merchan—Judge Merchan’s daughter—serves as president.
The firm represents high-profile Democrats, including California Representative Adam Schiff, who played a key role in Trump’s first impeachment trial. Jordan has highlighted the firm’s substantial financial involvement in Democratic campaigns, pointing out that it received $9 million from various Democratic entities, including $2 million from the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign.
In his August 2024 subpoena, Jordan sought two specific categories of documents related to the committee’s oversight of what he has described as the “political prosecution” of Trump by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. He also requested that Nellis testify in a deposition and provide a sworn affidavit confirming that the firm had no communication with Judge Merchan regarding the Trump case.
Nellis, however, has refused to comply, calling Jordan’s investigation "absurd and completely false." He further noted that the inquiry has fueled harassment and death threats against his employees and their families from individuals aligned with the MAGA movement.
In Jordan’s latest letter, he reasserts the committee’s legal authority to issue subpoenas and emphasized that Nellis’s objections are baseless. He wrote, “The objections to the subpoena are unfounded and unpersuasive, and do not excuse your client’s noncompliance.” Jordan also reiterated that the committee's request does not violate the First Amendment, a key defense raised by Nellis in his refusal to comply.
This letter marks a significant development in Jordan’s ongoing investigation into possible political bias within the legal proceedings against Trump. It reflects the broader tension between Trump’s allies in Congress and those involved in his legal battles.
The focus on Loren Merchan’s involvement with Authentic Campaigns, given her familial connection to the judge presiding over Trump’s trial, has only added fuel to the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the case.
Whether Nellis will heed this final warning remains uncertain, but Jordan has made it clear that the Judiciary Committee will not back down. The potential consequences of Nellis’s continued noncompliance could include further legal action, as Jordan seeks to maintain pressure on those he believes could influence the outcome of Trump’s trial.