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GOP
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Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is the leader of the House Trump Apologist Committee (Note to staff researcher: Confirm that name is correct). In that capacity, the Representative has invited former Manhattan prosecutor Mark Pomerantz to Washington for a nice chat about the case against Donald Trump filed by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. In response, Bragg requested a restraining order quashing Jordan's subpoena. Yesterday, District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, after hearing arguments in the case, ruled that the subpoena is valid and Pomerantz has to show up in Washington.
Vyskocil's opinion could just as easily have been crafted in response to the Trump tax return case. She writes:
The subpoena was issued with a 'valid legislative purpose' in connection with the 'broad' and 'indispensable' congressional power to 'conduct investigations.' It is not the role of the federal judiciary to dictate what legislation Congress may consider or how it should conduct its deliberations in that connection. Mr. Pomerantz must appear for the congressional deposition. No one is above the law.
In case you are wondering, Vyskocil is a Trump appointee to the federal bench. However, note that she was one of the most qualified nominees he chose, with 33 years in practice before donning the robes. Also, we read the decision, and to our admittedly non-lawyer eyes, it looks well-reasoned.
Bragg has not yet said whether he will appeal. If the decision here was Jordan's (or Trump's), they would appeal, appeal, appeal as many times as possible. But Bragg is a fellow capable of determining when he's in an untenable position, and so he might well decide to back down. (Z)