Former Prosecutor Involved In Bragg's Probe Of Trump Forced To Appear Before Congress, Jim Jordan Says He Was 'Surprised At Some Of The Answers'

Mark Pomerantz, who assisted the Manhattan district attorney's criminal probe of Donald J. Trump, appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for a deposition and refused to answer any questions about the case, according to Just the News. 

Mr. Pomerantz, who wrote a book giving an insider view of the probe against Trump and who resigned when "Manhattan’s district attorney refused to act", reportedly pleaded the Fifth Amendment during the session. The Fifth Amendment provides a right against self-incrimination and prevents a witness from being so compelled to testify. 

Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) told the Associated Press that "I think it’s very appropriate to say this is an obstructing witness who has no intention of answering any questions." Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) confirmed that they were "not getting many answers" during Pomerantz's deposition. Jim Jordan (R-OH) had a different account and said that he was "surprised at some of the answers" given during the deposition. 

Pomerantz did give an opening speech to the lawmakers where he derided that "[t]his deposition is for show... do not believe for a moment that I am here to assist a genuine effort to enact legislation or conduct legislative ‘oversight.’" Pomerantz was compelled to appear before the House Committee after the Manhattan District Attorney's office came to an agreement with the legislators. 

Bragg's office previously tried to stop the congressional subpoena but this was thwarted by Judge Mary Vyskocil who sits on the Southern District of New York's District Court. 

In her decision denying Bragg's request, she wrote, "Bragg has not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits" and that "Jordan and the Committee have identified several valid legislative purposes underlying the subpoena." 

Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records through his hush payments to Stormy Daniels which Bragg says constitutes unlawful election contributions. The case against the former president and current presidential candidate has been called weak by many scholars. 

Representative Issa mentioned that the fight over Mr. Pomerantz's testimony is unlikely to end with today's session. He hinted that Congress will go back to the courts for remedy saying that it is "for the court to decide when we object to his failure to answer any questions."