House GOP Subpoenas Company Tied to Trump Hush Money Judge’s Daughter
The House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to a company led by the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over former President Donald Trump's New York hush money trial.
According to News4SanAntonio, the committee is probing potential conflicts of interest due to the company's alleged connections with Trump’s political adversaries.
Earlier this year, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment case. Following the conviction, the Trump campaign announced it had raised a record $34.8 million from small donors.
Trump later argued that a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity negated the charges brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Judge Accusations and Committee Actions
Trump has publicly condemned Judge Juan Merchan, labeling him as "corrupt" and suggesting links to influential Democrats. Mid-week, the House Judiciary Committee escalated their probe by subpoenaing Michael Nellis, the owner of Authentic Campaigns, where Loren Merchan, Judge Merchan’s daughter, serves as president.
The committee's letter to Nellis expressed concerns about Authentic Campaigns' history of working with entities opposed to Trump. Previously, the committee had requested information from Authentic Campaigns without success.
Subpoena and Conflict of Interest Inquiry
The subpoena was part of a continued investigation into whether Judge Merchan should have recused himself from Trump's case. "As such, the Committee is left with no choice but to resort to compulsory process," read the committee's letter.
Rep. Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee Chair, expressed concerns over what he sees as politically motivated prosecutions, especially emphasizing the case brought against Trump by the Manhattan DA’s Office. In May, Jordan had also sought testimonies from Bragg and prosecutor Matthew Colangelo, arguing these efforts represented "an unprecedented abuse of authority" by popularly elected prosecutors.
In a forceful response, Nellis claimed the subpoena was another misuse of power aimed at advancing a groundless conspiracy theory from the right. “Let us be clear: these allegations against our company are completely false and purely politically motivated,” Nellis stated. He further described the subpoena as an intimidation tactic intended to deflect attention from Trump’s conviction.
Authentic Campaigns has reportedly worked alongside notable figures who have consistently opposed Trump in various political arenas. This background has become a focal point in the committee's inquiry, as they scrutinize whether such ties could compromise the impartiality of Judge Merchan. The core of the House Judiciary Committee's concern centers on the impartiality of Judge Merchan. Their letter underscores that his refusal to recuse himself raises questions due to his "apparent conflicts of interest and biases," given his daughter's position.
Trump remains openly critical of the judicial processes he has faced, including questioning the integrity of those involved in his prosecution. His recent claim about the Supreme Court ruling and its impact on the validity of the charges indicates his ongoing rejection of the legal challenges against him.
This development comes amid a polarized political atmosphere, where both Trump supporters and detractors continue to clash over the legitimacy and motivation behind his legal battles. The substantial fundraising success following his conviction highlights Trump’s enduring influence among his base.
