Congressman Johnson Exposes Sham GOP Field Hearing in New York City
MAGA Republicans will try to bully anyone who attempts to hold former President Trump accountable.
NEW YORK – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) attended the House Republicans so-called field hearing entitled “Victims of Violent Crime in Manhattan” – their stunt in response to the recent indictment of former President Donald Trump by a Manhattan grand jury.
The hearing allowed Democratic members to call out extreme MAGA Republicans for their Trump-style attacks on law enforcement, highlight Republican inaction on gun violence and draw a contrast between successful Democratic anti-crime policies and Republican attempts to undermine the rule of law.
The following are Rep. Johnson’s remarks:
“This is a sham hearing. It’s not about crime in New York. It’s an effort to impede and ultimately suppress the prosecution of Donald Trump. If you don’t believe it, then all you need to do is connect the dots. First Manhattan District Attorney Bragg announces criminal charges against ex-President Trump. Then House Judiciary Republicans abuse their power by subpoenaing testimony and records from DA Bragg about the ongoing prosecution. And next, they stage this hearing in Manhattan, supposedly about crime. But if my colleagues across the aisle really cared about reducing violent crime, they would work with Democrats to pass common sense gun laws.
“There are too many gun deaths in this country, and that is why I have joined with my fellow Democrats to cosponsor bills that would ban assault weapons, strengthen background checks, and fund research into gun violence prevention. Meanwhile, MAGA Republicans continue to resist even the most basic reforms, like universal background checks. If Republicans really wanted to stop violent crime, they would be in DC right now, working with Democrats to pass common sense gun legislation. Instead, like jackbooted thugs, they have descended on New York City, using violent crime as their pretext. The MAGA Republican extremists are not interested gun violence, or knife violence. The Republican witnesses who have used their time to criticize District Attorney Bragg, have served as props in a MAGA Broadway production. The real purpose in coming to New York City is to harass, intimidate, and threaten Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
“We are here because Manhattan District Attorney Bragg announced the indictment of former President Trump, and MAGA United States House Republicans, have responded by using their power to try to help ex-President Trump beat the 34 counts of fraud that he has been charged with. MAGA Republican extremists have defended the January 6 insurrectionists, and they are out here today serving as Trump’s bulldogs, trying to scare a duly elected District Attorney from following the facts where they lead and enforcing the law. It is just one more sign that MAGA Republicans are a clear and present danger to our democracy and are actively working to undermine the rule of law, not just federally, but also on the state and local level. I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New York’s 18th District, the Honorable Congressman Adriano Espaillat.”
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