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Lawmakers of both parties may have gotten more than they bargained for during a field hearing in New York City on Monday organized in the shadow of former President Trump’s indictment in the city.
Ostensibly about high crime rates in New York under the leadership of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), who is prosecuting Trump, House Judiciary Republicans faced a series of complaints from their Democratic colleagues that the hearing was little more than an effort to aid a political ally facing criminal charges.
Over the course of a sometimes-raucous four hours, Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) struggled to manage numerous interruptions from the audience, protestors and, at times, the invited witnesses.
“Today’s hearing is about the administration of justice and keeping communities safe, something that has always been a central focus of the House Judiciary Committee,” Jordan said in his opening remarks.
“As we all know, fairness under the law is a bedrock principle of American democracy. In this country, justice is supposed to be blind, regardless of race, religion or creed,” he added. “However, here in Manhattan, the scales of justice are weighed down by politics. For the district attorney, justice isn’t blind — it’s about looking for opportunities to advance a political agenda, a radical political agenda.”Lawmakers trade barbs, crime stats
Lawmakers spent much of the hearing trading barbs over its motive and swapping statistics about crime rates – with Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) at one point moving to hold the hearing near Jordan’s district instead, pointing to higher rates of some crimes in Columbus, Ohio.
Seated at the witness table were eight witnesses, a mix of family members of victims or crime as well as advocates for both addressing crime and gun violence, and even a Democratic member of the New York City Council alarmed by crime rates in the city.
“To our witnesses here today who shared their pain and trauma in being victims of crime and violence: I am so sorry for the impact that has had on you and your families,” Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Penn.).
“I applaud your courage in trying to take that pain and move to change things going forward. But I fear that you have been revictimized by this hearing because this hearing is not going to provide that change. It’s not a serious effort to make our communities safer. Our Republican colleagues aren’t in New York City to prevent crime. They’re here to protect someone who’s been charged with committing crimes,” she said, referring to Trump.
Bragg’s office has pushed back on GOP claims that the city is overwhelmed by crime.
“D.A. Bragg is reducing crime in Manhattan, reversing a tough spike that began before he even took office.
