House Republicans reacted indignantly Thursday night to former President Donald J. Trump’s federal impeachment, vowing to use their majority in Congress to fight the Justice Department.
“WITCH HUNT,” was posted on the Twitter account of the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee minutes after news of the indictment went public.
The chairman of that panel, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, has used his perch to attempt to lobby the Justice Department over what he sees as unfair treatment of Mr. Trump. Mr. Jordan this week sent to letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for redacted documents regarding the investigation by Special Counsel, Jack Smith.
« It’s a sad day for America, » Mr. Jordan said in a statement Thursday. « God bless President Trump. »
Members of Congress do not have the power to stop criminal charges, but they may attempt to interfere with prosecutors through their legislative powers, such as issuing subpoenas, requesting witness interviews or documents, limiting Justice Department funding, and use their office platform to attempt to publicly influence the case.
Several Republicans who are close allies of Trump have said, without evidence, that the allegation was an attempt to distract from their investigations into President Biden’s family, including his son Hunter’s business dealings. They made it clear they would target federal law enforcement in retaliation.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, said the case against Mr. Trump was a « stain on our nation that the FBI and the Justice Department are so corrupt and they don’t even hide it anymore. » She added, « We have to win in 2024. We have to beat these sick people. »
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican and one of Trump’s closest allies, predicted the former president would prevail against the charges and his rivals would be jailed.
“This scheme will not be successful. President Donald Trump will return to the White House and Joe Biden will be Hunter’s cellmate, » Gaetz wrote on Twitter.
It was the second time this year that House Republicans rallied to Trump’s defense after he was criminally charged. In April, President Kevin McCarthy pledged to use the House’s investigative powers to hold Alvin L. Bragg, the District Attorney in Manhattan, « accountable » after Trump was charged in New York with 34 counts of computer forgery. business documents.
