Congressional Republicans have issued a warning ahead of the imminent federal indictment of former President Trump, setting the stage for a potential clash on Capitol Hill regarding funding for the Justice Department and FBI.
Leading the charge, House Judiciary Committee Chairman and fervent Trump defender Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has threatened to reduce funding for the Department of Justice and FBI for targeting the former president.
As lawmakers focus on the annual spending bills to allocate funds for federal law enforcement agencies, the issue is gaining momentum.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), a member of the Judiciary Committee and staunch Trump supporter, has called for significant reform of the FBI, even suggesting the possibility of breaking it up. He also suggested zeroing out Garland’s salary as a way to rein in the Department of Justice.
With Hawley believing Trump will be the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, he raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest if Trump faces charges brought by the Department of Justice under President Biden’s administration.
Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), another member of the Judiciary Committee, criticized Garland as the most political attorney general in U.S. history and predicted an indictment against Trump due to personal animosity.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) also criticized the Justice Department and said the FBI has been insufficiently forthcoming.
However, as reported by The Hill, some senate Republicans are wary of this approach as they fear it could provide political ammunition to Democrats.
And they have reason to be concerned.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused Republicans of wanting to defund federal law enforcement, turning the tables on GOP leaders who previously accused Democrats of wanting to defund the police.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) criticized Republicans’ talk of using the appropriations process to push back against the Justice Department, calling out what he perceived as radical tendencies within the MAGA Republicans.
