Former President Trump's supporters in the House of Representatives aim to introduce amendments to the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill to restrict funding for Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is investigating Trump's handling of classified documents.
In a coordinated effort, several Republican members of the House of Representatives plan to introduce amendments to the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) appropriations bill that would target the ongoing prosecutions against former President Donald Trump. The amendments seek to defund Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is investigating Trump's handling of classified documents after leaving office.
At least three Republicans are spearheading the push to amend the CJS bill: Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, and Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee. These lawmakers are determined to prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to fund investigations and prosecutions of presidential candidates before the 2024 election.
Trump Allies Attempt to Defund Special Counsel Jack Smith
Rep. Clyde explained that his amendment would impact not only Special Counsel Smith but also other prosecutors, such as Fani Willis and Alvin Bragg, who are investigating Trump's actions. He argued that this measure is necessary to prevent the politicization of the justice system.
Rep. Greene has previously introduced similar amendments targeting the funding of special counsels, and she intends to file one for the CJS bill. As a staunch Trump ally, Greene has repeatedly criticized the investigations into Trump and believes that the appointment of Special Counsel Smith is politically motivated.
Trump Allies Attempt to Defund Special Counsel Jack Smith
Rep. Ogles' office confirmed that he plans to introduce an amendment to strip Smith's funding, joining the chorus of Trump supporters seeking to undermine the investigation.
The CJS appropriations bill, released this week, reduces the Justice Department's funding by nearly $1 billion. It also includes cuts to the FBI's budget and blocks the construction of a new bureau headquarters in Maryland.
Trump Allies Attempt to Defund Special Counsel Jack Smith
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan has also indicated his support for cutting funding to the Trump investigations in Georgia and New York through the CJS bill. In a letter to House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, Jordan recommended eliminating federal funding for state prosecutors involved in "lawfare," a term used to describe politically motivated legal actions.
A spokeswoman for Speaker Mike Johnson said that the Committee is working on the appropriations bills and will consider amendments as part of the process. Speaker Johnson expressed a desire for a more permanent solution to ensure accountability and prevent the abuse of power by special counsels.
Trump Allies Attempt to Defund Special Counsel Jack Smith
However, Johnson acknowledged that eliminating Smith's job is not under consideration in the current appropriations process. He stated that a function like that is necessary, especially when the Department of Justice may have conflicts of interest in investigating or prosecuting the president.
Despite the efforts of Trump's allies to defund Special Counsel Smith, it is unlikely that the amendments will be incorporated into the final version of the bill. The Democrat-controlled Senate is working on its own appropriations bills, and it is highly unlikely that they will consider any provisions that target the Trump investigations.
