Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Protesters shout at Jim Jordan outside of House hearing in New York City on Alvin Bragg

Protesters shouted, ‘Hey hey, ho, ho, Jim Jordan’s got to go’ as the House Judiciary Committee conducted its field hearing

Ariana Baio
Monday 17 April 2023 17:45 BST
Comments
Nashville votes to reinstate Justin Jones after expulsion by GOP for gun protest

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

As Republican Representative Jim Jordan attempted to hold a House Judiciary Committee hearing in New York attacking Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, protesters could be heard shouting and chanting outside.

“Let the public in,” a group of protesters shouted from the hallway located directly outside of the room where Mr Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee held their meeting on Monday,

Outside of the Jacob Javits Federal Building in downtown Manhattan, another group of protesters chanted, “Hey hey, ho, ho, Jim Jordan’s got to go.”

Videos and photos showed people with signs calling Mr Jordan a “traitor,” a “sleazy liar,” an “insurrectionist,” and more.

The backlash is in response to Mr Jordan’s continuous attempts to attack Mr Bragg after he successfully pursued charges against Donald Trump. Monday’s field hearing was just the latest in a contentious back-and-forth with the Manhattan DA.

Mr Jordan sent letters to Mr Bragg demanding he provide evidence about his investigation into Mr Trump as the investigation was ongoing. Then after Mr Bragg unveiled the charges, Mr Jordan attempted to subpoena a former employee of the Manhattan DA.

Last week, Mr Bragg filed a lawsuit against Mr Jordan for what he called an "unprecedentedly brazen and unconstitutional attack by members of Congress."

The committee, led by Mr Jordan, is examining “how Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s pro-crime, anti-victim policies have led to an increase in violent crime and a dangerous community for New York City residents” according to the House Judiciary Committee.

However, New York City leadership disputes their allegations.

In a press conference, Mayor Eric Adams said, “I’m a little disappointed that they’re coming here complaining about crime here when per capita, their crime is through the roof.”

He continued, “This is just an extension of Donald Trump campaigning, and it really makes no sense. We haven’t been communicating to participate and I don’t even know what they’re doing.”

Mr Bragg’s office released a statement saying, “Don’t be fooled, the House GOP is coming to the safest big city in America for a political stunt. This hearing won’t engage in actual efforts to increase public safety, such as supporting national gun legislation and shutting down the iron pipeline.”

They also released a series of graphics that show crime data from the New York Police Department demonstrating that homicides, shootings, robberies, burglaries, and transit crimes are all down in Manhattan.

Mr Jordan has responded by issuing a series of tweets with anecdotal stories about crime in New York.

He also wrote, “170,000 felony crimes were reported in New York City last year — the most since 2006. Major crimes are up 23%. But Democrats say NYC is ‘America’s safest big city.’ Give me a break.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in