The GOP wants answers now!
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has issued a subpoena to Michael Nellis, CEO of the political consulting firm Authentic Campaigns, which employs the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan. Judge Merchan is set to sentence former President Donald Trump next month in a high-profile case that has drawn significant scrutiny.
In a letter to Nellis, Jordan criticized the CEO for not complying with previous requests for information regarding his firm’s activities. The subpoena reflects concerns over what Jordan and other Republicans view as an overreach by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is prosecuting Trump. “The Committee finds itself compelled to use compulsory measures,” Jordan stated. He accused Bragg of engaging in a politically motivated prosecution of Trump, who is not only a former President but also a leading candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
Central to Jordan’s concerns is the impartiality of Judge Merchan, who is scheduled to sentence Trump on September 18 for alleged falsification of business records related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts in May, but his legal team has argued that Judge Merchan should recuse himself due to potential conflicts of interest. These include Judge Merchan’s past political contributions and his daughter’s role in a consulting firm with prominent Democratic clients.
Loren Merchan, Judge Merchan’s daughter, is the president and a minority partner at Authentic Campaigns. The firm has worked with major Democratic figures and organizations, including Rep. Adam Schiff and the Senate Majority PAC. Jordan highlighted that Authentic Campaigns received significant payments for its services to the Biden-Harris campaign, further fueling concerns about potential biases.
Jordan’s letter demands that Nellis provide a deposition and a sworn affidavit confirming that Authentic Campaigns did not have any communication with Judge Merchan regarding Trump’s case. Nellis, who shared the subpoena on social media, labeled it as a “political attack” designed to distract from the issues at hand. He has indicated that he is consulting with legal advisors to respond appropriately.
Jordan has requested that Nellis comply with the subpoena by September 13. Meanwhile, New York’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics has previously stated that the independent political activities of a judge’s relative do not necessarily impact the judge’s impartiality.