PHILADELPHIA (May 13, 2026) — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued the following response to a letter sent by House Judiciary Chairmen Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Tom McClintock (R-CA):
“On May 4, 2026, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, who is for the moment the Republican Chair of the House Judiciary Committee (HJC), and another U.S. Representative, sent me a letter in my capacity as the independently elected chief prosecutor for Philadelphia County. They said they wanted some documents in anticipation of a public hearing. We will answer that letter soon, requesting a very public hearing and requesting some ICE documents as well. Stay tuned.
“In theory, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee exists to address justice system matters that are properly before it. And does so to benefit the public, not to spend tax dollars carrying out an untruthful, authoritarian propaganda campaign that is nothing more than a political stunt.
“Ideally, the members of the HJC are excellent, distinguished and experienced lawyers of high moral character, who care deeply about victims of serious crime. Jim Jordan and the other signatory are not barred lawyers and never have been. Never passed the bar; based on information available to me, Jordan never even took the bar. Neither signatory has ever stood up as a barred lawyer to speak in court as a lawyer for a victim of crime or for a just outcome in a criminal or civil case. Never. Ever. As for Chairman Jim Jordan’s moral character, that is for you to judge.
“In essence, the letter accuses the DA’s Office of increasing crime, which is completely false. We’ve had historic lows. The letter also suggests that the US House Judiciary Committee controls what local prosecutors do in relation to ICE and immigration policy. That is also completely false, and the 10th Amendment says so under the Commandeering Doctrine.
“In my opinion, the letter makes plain a complete disregard by Jim Jordan and his party for victims who are increasingly denied justice because of current ICE practices that make it harder and harder for prosecutors to convict individuals of serious crimes in American courtrooms, including in Philadelphia.
“The supposed explanation for Donald Trump’s mass deportation (reminiscent of Germany in the 1930’s) is/was public safety. Yet about 7 out of 10 undocumented people grabbed by ICE have no conviction whatsoever. Among the remaining 3 of 10, many are undocumented people charged or convicted of minor, non-violent offenses. These undocumented immigrants frequently pay taxes, support the U.S. economy, and provide for their families and protect their neighbors. In fact, immigrants are only about 40% as likely to commit crimes as U.S. citizens.
“But even for that tiny sliver of immigrants who commit awful crimes, the anti-victim, anti-justice aspect of Jim Jordan’s party’s war against immigrants is as follows:
“For the very small number of undocumented people investigated, arrested and charged with serious, violent crime (sexual assault, shootings, even homicide), Jim Jordan’s party’s ICE policies have a ‘get out of jail free’ card. ICE is deporting before trial that very small number of undocumented people who commit serious crimes—-no trial, no conviction, no sentencing, no time serving what should be a lengthy sentence in jail. None. And no closure for their victims. That deportation is sometimes to a country with beautiful beaches, to Mom’s home cooking, etc. Compare that outcome to an incarcerated US citizen—-tried, convicted, sentenced and serving every day of that sentence in a state prison.
“Jim Jordan: You and your party’s upside down, hateful mass deportation policies are discriminating against US citizens, defendants and all victims by favoring that small number of undocumented people who commit serious crimes while you step on non-violent, hard working immigrants who contribute to American society.
“Worse yet, questions about failing to protect victims are an ugly thread that runs throughout your career, in my opinion. Those questions include your persistent distraction and deflection that are worthy of a grifter, in my view. Let’s start with the letter and its date, May 4. Something else happened on May 4 that may explain Jim Jordan’s urgency in sending letters to elected officials in Philadelphia and elsewhere. On May 4, 2026, Jim Jordan’s role in the Ohio State University student athlete sexual assault scandal surfaced yet again. Depositions — sworn testimony — relating to that scandal were made available to the public on May 4. The most cursory research reveals how prominent and how disturbing the questions are about JJ’s role in that scandal.
“He had a moral and legal obligation to protect those young victims. Did he? No wonder in an election year he would like to switch topics. If avoidance and deflection of that scandal feels familiar, it is familiar, in my opinion. Jim Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee have worked tirelessly to avoid digging deep into the Epstein scandal — yet another illegal and vast sex crime scandal against young victims.
“In my opinion, facts and justice are of little concern to Jim Jordan —-as you might expect from this, in my opinion, ardent follower and supporter of Donald Trump, whom I have repeatedly called a wannabe dictator. Trump is a wannabe dictator.
“Well, I believe in second chances. Maybe the Philly DA’s Office can help tether Jim Jordan to facts about ICE policy in two ways:
1). By responding to the letter when sufficient time makes it possible with appropriate and reasonably available truthful factual and legal information in anticipation of a prompt and very public hearing where Americans can benefit from cutting thru authoritarian propaganda.
2). By requesting that the House Judiciary Committee and ICE provide truthful information on all the criminal prosecutions locally and nationally that ICE actions have tanked to the detriment of victims and of public safety. How about a truthful recitation of the law that unquestionably protects local authorities from being commandeered by federal authorities to carry out federal law enforcement?
“We look forward to a very public hearing very soon. Voters need to know where you and your party stand on these issues. November will be on us very soon. That is my formal response. Now my Philly response.
“Allow me to quote a Philly expression that you as an Ohioan may or may not know: PULL UP!”