Chicago U.S. Attorney Subpoenaed a Democratic Firm for Emails Between the Hush-Money Judge and His Daughter

The U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago has spent the past year investigating Authentic Campaigns Inc., a Democratic firm once co-owned by Loren Merchan, daughter of the judge who presided over Trump’s New York hush-money trial, The New York Times reported. In August 2025, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros directed the firm to turn over internal communications with clients including Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Kathy Hochul, Hakeem Jeffries and the Democratic National Committee, according to a grand jury subpoena reviewed by the Times. Prosecutors later narrowed it to a $468 payment from the Harris campaign and emails between Loren Merchan and her father.

The subpoena followed a criminal referral from House Judiciary Committee Republicans, and its language is virtually identical to the panel’s claim that Trump’s conviction was “potentially politically motivated.” It did not specify a crime. U.S. attorney offices long insulated from Washington politics have been drawn into investigations of the president’s adversaries.

It is not clear where the inquiry stands; no follow-up subpoenas have been issued to individuals, which people familiar with it said suggests charges may not be imminent. Founder Mike Nellis called it “an outrageous abuse of power.” The Justice Department and both Merchans declined to comment.