Republicans accused by New York DA of meddling in Trump hush-money case

The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, on Thursday accused Republicans in the US Congress of interfering in his investigation of Donald Trump over a hush money payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Bragg published his letter as it became clear another day would pass without an indictment of the former US president for offences related to the $130,000 payment made in 2016 and potentially including falsification of business records, tax fraud and/or campaign finance violations.

The grand jury considering the case is not due to meet again until Monday.

Last weekend, amid reports an indictment was imminent, Trump said he expected to be arrested on Tuesday.

That day came and went without an arrest but aides to the former president have told outlets, including the Guardian, that Trump wants to be seen in handcuffs and has even mused on how being shot while being arraigned might help him return to the White House.

Trump is under extensive legal jeopardy as he runs for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

Trump denies all wrongdoing and claims to be the victim of political witch-hunts mounted by Black prosecutors he says are racist.

Bragg is the first Black Manhattan DA and only the fourth man to fill the post on a permanent basis since the second world war.

In the Daniels case, the Republicans made their demands to Bragg on Monday.

On Thursday, Bragg addressed his reply to Jim Jordan, the chair of the House judiciary committee; Bryan Steil, chair of the administration committee; and James Comer, chair of the oversight committee.

He also said the Republican request would interfere with law enforcement efforts requiring confidentiality.