(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) criticized House Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee for holding a field hearing on crime in New York City, accusing them of trying to “scare” Manhattan D.A. for indicting former President Donald Trump.

The hearing featured New York City residents who were victims of crime and family members of victims who complained that justice was not served in those cases.

Despite that, Johnson called the “Victims of Violent Crime in Manhattan” hearing “a sham.”

“It’s not about crime in New York. It’s an effort to impede and ultimately suppress the prosecution of Donald Trump, and if you don’t believe it, then all you need to do is connect the dots. First, Manhattan District Attorney Bragg announces criminal charges against ex-President Trump,” Johnson said.

“Then House Judiciary Republicans abused their power by subpoenaing testimony and records from D.A. Bragg about the ongoing prosecution, and next, they bring this sham hearing to Manhattan supposedly about crime, but if my colleagues across the aisle were really concerned and really cared about reducing violent crime, they’d work with Democrats to pass commonsense gun laws,” he said.

“There are too many gun deaths in this country, and that’s why I have joined with my fellow Democrats to co-sponsor bills that would ban assault weapons, strengthen background checks, and fund research into gun violence prevention,” the congressman said.

“Meanwhile, MAGA Republicans continue to resist even the most basic reforms like universal background checks. If Republicans really wanted to stop violent crime, they would be in D.C. right now working with Democrats to pass commonsense gun legislation,” he said.

“Instead, like jack-booted thugs, they’ve descended on New York City, using crime as their pretext. The MAGA Republican extremists are not interested in gun violence or even knife violence. Republican witnesses who have used their time to criticize District Attorney Bragg has served as props in a MAGA Broadway production,” Johnson said.

The congressman was interrupted by members of the audience, who heckled him, until Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) restored order.

“The real purpose in coming to New York City,” Johnson said, “is to harass, intimidate, and threaten Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. We’re here, because Manhattan District Attorney Bragg announced the indictment of former President Trump, and MAGA United States House Republicans have responded by using their power to try to help ex-President Trump beat the 34 counts of fraud that he has been charged with.

“MAGA Republican extremists have defended the January 6th insurrectionists, and they are out here today serving as Trump’s bulldogs, trying to scare a duly elected district attorney from following the facts where they lead and enforcing the law,” he said.

“It is just one more sign that MAGA Republicans are a clear and present danger to our democracy and are actively working to undermine the rule of law, not just federally, but also on the state and local level,” the congressman said.