Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to face inquiry by House Judiciary Committee

House Judiciary Committee Launches Congressional Investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis

The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee has initiated a congressional investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The development comes on the same day that former President Donald Trump is scheduled to surrender at the county jail after being charged for his alleged involvement in schemes to interfere with Georgia’s 2020 election results. The committee sent a letter to Willis, asking whether she coordinated with the Justice Department or used federal funds in her investigation that led to Trump’s fourth indictment.

The questions raised by Republicans about potential federal funding usage in Willis’s state-level investigation parallel similar inquiries made by Republicans regarding Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s probe into Trump earlier this year. In the letter to Willis, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan accused her of being politically motivated and highlighted her establishment of a campaign fundraising website shortly before the indictment and her requirement for mugshots, a departure from previous indictments.

Willis has consistently denied coordinating with Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office and has defended her investigation against claims of political bias. However, Georgia Republicans may launch their own state-level investigation into Willis’s probe, according to GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene has spoken to top officials in the state about the potential investigation and has expressed her desire for a congressional-led inquiry into Willis.

House Republicans have been utilizing their congressional majority to defend Trump and counter his legal battles. They have launched investigations, issued subpoenas, and restricted funding, demonstrating their support for the former president. However, they have faced resistance in their attempts to intervene in ongoing criminal matters, raising questions about their jurisdiction over state-level investigations.

Additionally, House Republicans are intensifying their investigations into the Biden family. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has vowed to proceed with an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden if the administration does not provide more documents and information related to the Republican-led investigations into Hunter Biden. McCarthy’s statement indicates that House Republicans are prepared to launch an impeachment inquiry against the president.

The House Oversight Committee, chaired by James Comer, has subpoenaed six banks for information related to specific Biden family business associates and has reviewed suspicious activity reports at the Treasury Department. Comer has not yet subpoenaed bank records from Biden family members themselves.

Moderate Republicans have expressed skepticism about intervening in ongoing investigations and have questioned the need for an impeachment inquiry. However, members of the House Judiciary panel have reportedly discussed the possibility of launching an impeachment inquiry, indicating a growing consensus within the committee.

Trump’s allies have called for Congress to expunge his previous impeachments, but this has faced pushback, even among House Republicans. While the votes for expunging Trump’s impeachments may not be there yet, the prospect of an impeachment inquiry appears likely.

Even before Trump’s indictment in Fulton County, his congressional allies were laying the groundwork to target Willis and election laws more broadly. Representative Russell Fry of South Carolina introduced a bill earlier this year that would allow current and former presidents and vice presidents to move their civil or criminal cases from state courts to federal courts. The House Judiciary Committee is exploring ways to advance the bill and schedule a markup.

Additionally, the House Committee on Administration has been working on an election integrity package that Republicans describe as “transformative.” Democrats, however, argue that the legislation restricts voting rights and hampers election workers.

In conclusion, the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, along with Republicans’ intensified investigations into the Biden family, showcases their continued support for former President Trump and their efforts to counter his legal challenges. While they face resistance and questions about jurisdiction, House Republicans are determined to defend Trump and push their own agenda.

Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-08-24 16:27:00