Rep. Cloud Unveils Plan to Cut Funding for Willis, Bragg

(AP)

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, said he has introduced a measure that would cut funding to two state prosecutors for targeting former President Donald Trump.

Cloud told the Washington Examiner on Monday that his plan would defund Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records, a verdict Trump plans to appeal.

It comes the same day that House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, filed proposals to defund so-called lawfare by federal special counsel Jack Smith, Willis, Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

“I will be introducing Appropriations amendments to block federal funding grants for Alvin Bragg, Fani Willis, and other offices who have participated in the left’s lawfare targeting Trump and his supporters,” Cloud said in a statement to the Examiner. “And there will be more amendments to follow.”

In his letter to House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., on Monday, Jordan listed out a number of prohibitions on use of funds.

“None of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act shall be used, or transferred to another Federal agency, board, or commission to be used, to consult, advise, or direct state prosecutors and state attorneys general in the civil action or criminal prosecution of a former or current President or Vice President brought against them in state court,” Jordan wrote.

And, “none of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act shall be used, or transferred to another Federal agency, board, or commission to be used, to appoint or fund the office of a Special Counsel, who has not been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as a U.S. Attorney, to bring a criminal prosecution of a former or current President or Vice President.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced Sunday that Republicans are investigating Bragg and Smith for targeting political opponents.

“The American people deserve answers, and we will not tolerate this two-tiered system of justice,” he said in a post to X.

Willis’ case against Trump has been waylaid by delays over her fling with a chief prosecutor, who was forced to resign by the presiding judge’s ruling. However, the Georgia Court of Appeals set a hearing date of Oct. 4 to hear a defense appeal about whether Willis should be allowed to continue in the prosecution of Trump and the 14 remaining co-defendants.

Cloud is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and sits on the House Appropriations Committee, which controls the federal budget.

“House GOP Leadership must realize where we are at and stop compromising with Democrats on every issue. It’s time to stand strong and defend our Constitution against Democrats’ continued attacks on our rule of law,” Cloud posted to X on Friday in the aftermath of Trump’s conviction the day before.