The involvement of Google’s lead attorney in Vice President Kamala Harris's debate preparation has sparked an investigation by the House Judiciary Committee.
Fox News reported that the Justice Department's lawsuit against Google is under scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest, given the dual roles of the tech giant's attorney, who is also advising Vice President Harris for her debate against Donald Trump.
The inquiry, led by Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, centers on concerns that the Justice Department's actions in the Google antitrust case may be influenced by political bias.
This was triggered by reports of Karen Dunn, Google’s outside counsel, simultaneously preparing Harris for the upcoming debate.
On Tuesday morning, Jordan sent a formal letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, requesting a comprehensive briefing by September 24.
The briefing aims to clarify any potential conflicts of interest and political biases in the lawsuit titled U.S. v. Google LLC.
According to a Fox News Digital report, Dunn’s involvement in the Vice President's debate preparation raised eyebrows, given her significant role in defending Google against the federal government.
Dunn, employed by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, had previously assisted Harris in the 2020 vice presidential debate, adding another layer of complexity to her current roles.
The House Judiciary Committee is also investigating allegations that the Executive Branch has collaborated with companies like Google to censor lawful speech. This broader oversight effort includes examining how such collaborations could affect legal proceedings and government transparency.
Jordan’s letter emphasized the need to ensure the Justice Department remains free from partisan influence, a commitment Attorney General Garland pledged to uphold during his nomination.
The inquiry was partly motivated by the administration's alleged pressure on Google to censor information, particularly concerning the incident on July 13, when Google’s search engine was slow to update information regarding an assassination attempt on former President Trump.
The Trump campaign has voiced concerns about Dunn's dual responsibilities, suggesting that her involvement with the Vice President could bias the legal proceedings against Google.
Jordan's correspondence with the DOJ included several quotes highlighting these concerns. He noted, “This apparent conflict of interest raises serious concerns about whether Dunn’s relationship with key figures in the Biden-Harris Administration creates a conflict of interest that could inappropriately bias the Department’s approach in United States v. Google LLC.”
The situation is complicated by Dunn's history with the Vice President, having previously led her debate preparations against then-Vice President Mike Pence in 2020, which intensifies scrutiny of her current roles.
The Justice Department has acknowledged the receipt of Jordan’s letter but declined further comment on the ongoing situation.
Meanwhile, the Harris campaign and Karen Dunn have not provided comments on the allegations and Dunn's roles.
This silence from key players has only fueled further speculation and interest in the Justice Department's handling of the high-profile lawsuit.
As the debate night approaches, all eyes will be on Harris and how these developments might influence public perception of the Justice Department’s independence and integrity.
