Judge Vyskocil Rules in Favor of House Judiciary Committee in Subpoena Dispute with Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

A federal judge has ruled that a former prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office must appear for a deposition before the House Judiciary Committee, despite the District Attorney’s contention that House Republicans are trying to interfere with his investigation into former President Donald Trump.

U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil sided with the arguments presented by the Rep. Jim Jordan-led committee that the panel’s subpoena of former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz was lawful and proper. Judge Vyskocil, a Trump nominee, wrote that the subpoena was issued with a “valid legislative purpose” in connection with the “broad” and “indispensable” congressional power to “conduct investigations.”

The Judiciary Committee says it is conducting its investigation in support of possible legislation that would “insulate current and former Presidents from such politically motivated state and local prosecutions.” The committee and its Republican chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, have aggressively confronted Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in the weeks since Trump was indicted in Manhattan.

Judge Vyskocil ruled that she has no standing to block the subpoena, writing that the House Judiciary Committee has claimed to have legitimate legislative purposes for its inquiry. She concluded that Mr. Pomerantz must appear for the congressional deposition.

The ruling is the latest development in the ongoing battle between the House Judiciary Committee and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office over the investigation into former President Donald Trump. The ruling is a victory for the House Judiciary Committee and a setback for the District Attorney’s office.