Fox News reported that House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has intensified his investigation into the work done by the daughter of the New York judge who presided over a case in which former President Donald Trump was involved. He issued a subpoena to obtain documents relating to the activities of her company.

Jordan served Michael Nellis as CEO of Authentic Campaigns in the course of his investigation of Loren Merchan. Loren Merchan is the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan who presided over Trump’s N.Y. Business Documents case. Loren Merchan, the firm’s President, is subpoenaed by Jordan as part of his investigation into Loren Merchan, daughter of Judge Juan Merchan who presided over Trump’s N.Y. business documents case.

Jordan issued the subpoena after describing Nellis and Merchan as not cooperating. Jordan had requested documents in an earlier letter dated August 1 as part of his investigation into the involvement by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg with the prosecution of Trump. The committee is interested in whether Judge Merchan’s connections with his daughter’s work as a politician could affect his impartiality when it comes to the Trump case.

Nellis dismissed Jordan’s claim as absurd and stated that the company had no business dealings with the parent of an employee. The Hill reported that he also stated that the firm did not work for either the Biden or Harris campaign and had no connection with the outcome of Trump’s case.

Jordan’s latest letter cited Bragg as having “abused his authority in a way that was unprecedented”. Bragg had prosecuted Trump. He was concerned about the conflict of interest that could arise from Loren Merchan working with prominent Democrats, such as Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. Jordan noted that Authentic Campaigns received millions of dollars in 2020 for the services it provided to the Biden and Harris campaigns.

The subpoena is more narrowly focused than originally requested information. It demands documents relating to any political work Loren Merchan performed for Biden, Harris or in connection with Trump’s prosecution. Jordan has given Nellis until Sept. 13 to comply with subpoena.

Nellis, in response to the subpoena on social media, rejected the allegations. He described them as “completely untrue and purely political motivated” and accused House Republicans for trying to “intimidate his company” and divert attention away from Trump’s lawsuits. Nellis said that his company was “reviewing” the subpoena with legal counsel, and would “provide updates” if needed.

The House Judiciary Committee’s investigation has increased tensions around Trump’s ongoing legal battles. Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying records. His legal team argued that Merchan, the judge in this case, should have recused him due to the political connections of his daughter. Merchan refused, and a New York ethics panel later backed his decision.

Jordan’s actions are indicative of a broader concern among Republicans about the possible political motivations for prosecutions against high-profile individuals, especially in light of the 2024 presidential elections, where Trump will be the Republican candidate.

Jordan warned of the possible consequences of how presidents use their power while in office, and emphasized that the federal government is interested in preventing political prosecutions against current and former Presidents.

Trump’s legal team has filed an appeal against the ruling and a hearing for sentencing is scheduled on Sept. 18.