Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced her intention to introduce a legislative measure to defund Special Counsel Jack Smith's office and its investigation into former President Donald Trump. Greene delivered her announcement on the House floor, characterizing the investigation as a politically motivated attack aimed at undermining Trump's presidential candidacy. She emphasized the need to prevent the government from being used as a political weapon.
Greene highlighted what she perceives as a double standard in how the Justice Department handles cases involving classified materials, citing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden as examples. She referenced the discovery of classified documents from Biden's time as vice president at the Penn Biden Center and his Delaware home, drawing a comparison to Trump's situation. Special Counsel Robert Hur is currently investigating Biden's handling of these documents.
Greene's proposal received support from Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, who praised it as a powerful assertion of Congressional authority. Arizona Representative Andy Biggs echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the House's constitutional duty to oversee the executive branch and hold the Department of Justice accountable for what he considers baseless investigations.
The backdrop to this development is Trump's impending arraignment in Miami on 37 charges related to the handling of classified documents and alleged obstruction of justice. Special Counsel Smith's indictment alleges that Trump knowingly retained classified documents upon leaving the White House, including sensitive information related to national defense, nuclear programs, and potential vulnerabilities to military attack. The indictment further details Trump's discussions about the classified material with others and the allegedly insecure storage of these documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
