The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) has initiated legal action against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in a New York State court. The lawsuit addresses the DA's office's refusal to release public records related to the prosecution of former President Donald J. Trump, following a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request submitted by AFPI in September 2024.
AFPI's request aimed to uncover potential political motivations behind Trump's prosecution by seeking communications between Bragg’s office and various political figures, including Loren Merchan, daughter of Judge Merchan who presided over Trump's case, her consulting group Authentic Campaigns, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and other Biden administration officials.
Jessica Hart Steinmann, executive general counsel at AFPI, said: "This lawsuit strikes at the heart of a growing crisis: the weaponization of the legal system against political opponents." She emphasized the need for transparency regarding whether Trump's prosecution was politically motivated.
Despite acknowledging numerous responsive documents, Bragg’s office has not provided any records or justification for withholding them. Jack Casali from AFPI’s Center for Litigation questioned the DA's possession of these records and stressed that court intervention is necessary to uphold the law.
The investigation by AFPI underscores concerns about public trust in the justice system. The charges against Trump were unprecedented, involving a reclassification of a misdemeanor into a felony linked to an undefined crime. The case was led by a district attorney who campaigned on prosecuting Trump and involved individuals with alleged partisan ties.
Steinmann asserted that all Americans deserve clarity on whether justice is being politicized: "AFPI will not stop until those answers are brought to light." The lawsuit seeks a court order mandating compliance with FOIL requirements.
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