House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Jim Jordan, has launched an investigation to determine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis collaborated with federal authorities, including DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Chairman Jordan sent a letter to Willis, formally requesting records pertaining to the use of federal funds and any correspondence with the DOJ or Jack Smith.
“Your indictment and prosecution implicate substantial federal interests, and the circumstances surrounding your actions raise serious concerns about whether they are politically motivated,” the letter reads.
Was Fulton County DA Fani Willis working with Jack Smith?
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) August 24, 2023
Was she communicating with the Executive Branch?
Were any federal funds used in the investigation of President Trump?
Last week, Willis announced her office’s decision to file charges against Trump and 18 associates, alleging their involvement in an effort to “conspire and endeavor to conduct and participate in criminal enterprise” with the aim of overturning the outcomes of the 2020 election. The garbage 98-page indictment encompasses numerous actions that Willis argues advanced the alleged conspiracy. These actions include Trump’s tweets urging individuals to watch Georgia legislative oversight hearings on television and a text message from former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows requesting phone numbers.
In their letter to Willis, Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee have raised questions about the reasoning behind her decision to charge Trump and his associates, highlighting a number of instances that suggest a potential political motivation behind her prosecution of President Trump.
One such example cited is Willis’ reported launch of a new campaign fundraising platform that prominently featured her investigation into President Trump. Notably, this occurred just days before her office formally indicted Trump.
Additionally, the letter references statements made by Emily Kohrs, the forewoman of the special grand jury convened by Willis. Kohrs openly expressed enthusiasm in interviews with media outlets, discussing her eagerness to subpoena President Trump and getting to swear him in. The letter also brings up the decision to prematurely release “a list of criminal charges against President Trump reportedly hours before the vote of the grand jury” by Fulton County’s superior court clerk.
Although an initial statement from the court clerk’s office labeled the document detailing charges against Trump as “fictitious,” the clerk subsequently clarified it as a “trial run” gone awry, explaining that upon clicking “save,” the document was inadvertently sent to the press queue.
While explaining their reasons for advocating federal oversight of the indictments originating in Georgia, House Republicans pointed to Willis’ alleged attempt to “use state criminal law to regulate the conduct of federal officers acting in their official capacities.” This includes individuals like Trump and Meadows. The letter also raised questions regarding the role of Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith and the potential coordination between Willis’ office and Smith throughout the investigation process.
“News outlets have reported that your office and Mr. Smith ‘interviewed many of the same witnesses and reviewed much of the same evidence’ in reaching your decision to indict President Trump,” the letter reads. “The House Committee on the Judiciary thus may investigate whether federal law enforcement agencies or officials were involved in your investigation or indictment.”
Consequently, House Republicans are demanding that Willis provide all documents pertaining to her office’s “receipt and use of federal funds,” correspondences between Smith and the DOJ, as well as communications between her office and any federal agency concerning the investigation into Trump and his associates, no later than September 7th.
🚨 #BREAKING: @Jim_Jordan Launches Inquiry into Whether Fulton County DA Fani Willis Coordinated with Federal Officials
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) August 24, 2023
📍 Read more here: https://t.co/dt9jordxKC pic.twitter.com/jV1x8x3gS5
