In a fresh twist of events, Republicans in the House of Representatives have opened a new line of investigation, targeting Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and House Administration subcommittee chairman Barry Loudermilk announced they are investigating any cooperation between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and the former House Jan. 6 committee regarding her prosecution of former President Trump.
The center of this inquiry lies in the correspondence between Willis' office and the former Jan. 6 committee. The Republican lawmakers have requested records of this communication, citing a letter Willis had previously sent to committee chairman Bennie Thompson in December 2021.
This letter, as per the lawmakers, sought access to various records of the committee, including transcripts and recordings. Jordan and Loudermilk have requested similar communications from Thompson and Willis, as well as any documents her office obtained and lists of people interviewed.
Loudermilk voiced his concerns about the implications of this cooperation. "This new information raises questions about Willis’ and Thompson’s commitment to due process and whether House Rules were violated when the Select Committee failed to disclose this material properly," Loudermilk stated.
Thompson countered Loudermilk, saying:
"I have received Mr. Loudermilk’s letter, which, like his previous correspondence, contains significant factual errors. As I have said time and again, the [Jan. 6 committee] archived its official records in accordance with House rules. Only the Committee on House Administration is in possession of these records and Mr. Loudermilk is fully aware of this."
These developments are seen as the latest in a series of GOP efforts to cast doubt on the work of the Jan. 6 committee and Willis' prosecution of Trump.
The duo of Jordan and Loudermilk have previously sought information related to investigations into Trump, adding a layer of complexity to the political landscape.
Willis, on her part, has expressed her belief that Congress has no justification to interfere with a state criminal matter. She has declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the legal proceedings against Trump are also unfolding. Willis has proposed an August 5 start date for Trump's trial, a proposal that has been opposed by the former President.
The judge presiding over the case, however, has not yet decided on a trial date.
The Jan. 6 committee, which has been the center of this storm, was disbanded when Republicans gained control of the House. Trump has been charged by Willis with multiple election-related offenses in Georgia, further fueling the controversy.
