House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has issued a subpoena for information regarding the political work conducted by the daughter of New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan. The committee is investigating Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against former President Trump.
Jordan sent a letter to Michael Nellis, the founder and CEO of Authentic Campaigns, a company known for its political work for top Democratic clients such as President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The letter accused Nellis of failing to comply with House investigators' demands for documents related to the prosecution of Trump.
The committee had previously requested documents from Loren Merchan, Judge Merchan's daughter and President of Authentic Campaigns. Jordan highlighted that Nellis rejected the request, leading to the issuance of the subpoena.
Jordan expressed concerns about the impartiality of Judge Merchan, citing potential conflicts of interest due to his daughter's work on behalf of Trump's political adversaries. Reports indicated that both Nellis and Loren Merchan were closely involved in the presidential campaigns of Biden and Harris.
The subpoena, which is narrower in scope than the initial request, demands compliance by September 13. Republicans have accused Judge Merchan of political bias over his daughter's political work, with Trump's legal team previously requesting Merchan to recuse himself from the case.
In a June 2023 decision, a New York state ethics panel supported Merchan's decision not to recuse himself from the case. The ongoing investigation continues to raise questions about the potential conflicts of interest and impartiality in the legal proceedings against former President Trump.
