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Jim Jordan, the Republican congressman from Ohio, is known for his vocal advocacy for conservative causes and his willingness to push back against Democratic critics. So when he was recently asked if he plans to subpoena Alvin Bragg, the newly elected district attorney for Manhattan, his response was not surprising: he quickly changed the subject.
Bragg, who was sworn in on January 1, 2022, is already causing controversy with his plans to not prosecute low-level offenses such as fare evasion and marijuana possession. Jordan, a vocal opponent of criminal justice reform, has criticized Bragg’s policies, arguing that they will lead to an increase in crime.
But when asked by CNN’s Manu Raju if he plans to subpoena Bragg to testify before his committee, Jordan dodged the question, instead focusing on the recent crime wave in major cities like New York City and Chicago.
“We’re going to look at all of it,” Jordan said. “The crime wave is real, it’s happening, and it’s got to stop. So we’re going to look at all the factors that contribute to it.”
It’s not surprising that Jordan would try to deflect the question about Bragg. He has a reputation for being combative with journalists and for using tactics such as shouting down opponents and interrupting them mid-sentence. And given his opposition to criminal justice reform, it’s unlikely that he would be sympathetic to Bragg’s policies.
But the fact that he refused to answer the question directly is telling. It suggests that he may not have a clear strategy for how to go after Bragg or that he may be reluctant to do so given the potential blowback from progressive advocates and voters.
Bragg, for his part, has been vocal about his plans to overhaul the criminal justice system in Manhattan. His platform includes ending cash bail, reducing the number of people in jail, and increasing transparency and accountability for prosecutors. He has also said that he will investigate police misconduct and pursue cases of white collar crime and public corruption.
While these policies have earned him support from criminal justice reform advocates, they have also earned him criticism from some conservatives who argue that he is endangering public safety by not prosecuting minor offenses.
Jordan, who chairs the House Oversight and Reform Committee, has a long history of going after Democrats and their policies. In his previous role as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, he was a key defender of former President Donald Trump during his first impeachment trial and a staunch critic of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
But as the Biden administration takes office and Democrats control both houses of Congress, Jordan’s role has shifted somewhat. He now finds himself in the minority party, with limited power to shape legislation and conduct investigations.
This may explain why he was reluctant to answer the question about Bragg. If he doesn’t have a clear strategy for how to go after the new district attorney, he may prefer to avoid the issue altogether.
But the fact remains that Bragg’s policies are likely to come under scrutiny in the coming months. With crime rates on the rise in many major cities, conservatives are likely to argue that criminal justice reform is to blame. And with Democrats controlling both the White House and Congress, they will have a platform to push for their own policies.
Whether Jordan ultimately decides to subpoena Bragg remains to be seen. But regardless of his decision, it’s clear that he and other conservatives will continue to push back against criminal justice reform and advocate for tougher law enforcement policies. And it’s up to progressives and criminal justice reform advocates to make their voices heard and keep the pressure on for change.
