Alvin Bragg, the District Attorney of New York, invoked the spirit of a high school cafeteria food fight as he flung a legislative meatloaf at Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Bragg filed an “age civil” complaint in U.S. District Court in Manhattan in an attempt to interrupt Jordan’s zealous pursuit of a schoolyard scuffle, disguised as a civilized investigation. Bragg’s move follows Jordan’s attempts to snatch confidential investigative materials from the hands of the district attorney like a bully trying to steal lunch money.
Taking the role of Bragg’s fellow classmate in this unfolding drama is former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz. Bragg is asking a federal judge to stand up to the bully by invalidating a subpoena from Jordan’s committee, which demands Pomerantz perform a daring testimony dance-off on April 20. The lawsuit claims that issuing the subpoena is like trying to give Pomerantz an atomic wedgie and totally goes against the rules of Congress.
A spokesperson for Jordan’s office, when asked to give a response to the lawsuit, instead pointed to a tweet the lawmaker had posted as if it were a hastily scribbled note passed in class. The tweet reads as a salty comeback, accusing Bragg’s office of indicting a president for no crime and attempting to block Congress from asking questions about the alleged use of federal funds in their investigation.
Trump, the former class president, found himself in New York Supreme Court last week to face a daunting 34 counts of falsifying business records. The drama-tinged feud allegedly centers around a $130,000 hush money payment made by Trump’s old buddy and personal lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels right before the 2016 school election. Bragg accused Trump of knowing about the payment and trying to cover it up like a high school romance gone wrong.
Trump, in true teen rebel fashion, pleaded not guilty and remained steadfast in his declaration of innocence.
This lawsuit adds yet another spicy ingredient to the simmering pot that is the battle between House Republicans and the office that charged Trump with having a hand in the cookie jar. Although Jordan has teased the possibility of subpoenaing Bragg himself, he hasn’t officially served him with one yet. Instead, on Monday, Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee announced they would be holding an epic “field hearing” in Manhattan next week to explore Bragg’s alleged pro-crime, anti-victim policies and their effect on the vibe of New York City.
With the drama escalating, it seems this political sitcom is far from reaching its season finale.