House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer on Sunday defended taking the escalatory step of getting Congress involved in the Manhattan district attorney's investigation of Donald Trump by using his position to request answers from the prosecutor, Alvin Bragg.

"If Mr. Bragg wants to come in and explain to us what he what he's doing, and he makes a good explanation, he makes a good argument and we see that we're in an area where we shouldn't belong, such as the Republicans -- some of the Republican senators -- say, then we will back off," Comer, R-Ky., said on CNN. But, he added, "I don't believe that Bragg would be doing this if Donald Trump were not running for president, and that's something that we would like to ask Mr. Bragg as well."

Pushed by CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who said Bragg is investigating potential violations of state and not federal crimes, Comer said, "This is about politics. This is a presidential candidate."

Comer insisted that he would be more accepting of the investigation if it was being brought by the Department of Justice rather than a local district attorney, though he later said he wanted all "meddling" to end.

Bragg's office has signaled that they may be moving closer to a charging decision -- such as for falsifying business records, sources have said -- in relation to $130,000 that Trump paid the adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election in order to prevent her from going public with an affair claim.

Trump denies all wrongdoing, including a relationship with Daniels.

He falsely said that he would be arrested last week and has urged protests.

-ABC News' Adam Carlson and Cheyenne Haslett

In a new letter Saturday, the Republican leaders of three powerful House committees responded to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's rebuff of their request for documents and testimony related to the Trump probe.

Reps. Jim Jordan, James Comer and Brian Steil argued in the 8-page letter they have legislative purpose for demanding such material.

Bragg's office pushed back against the chairmen's original request on March 20, stating it would "not be intimidated by attempts to undermine the justice process."

Leslie Dubeck, Bragg’s general counsel, responded that it was "an unlawful incursion into New York's sovereignty."

In a new statement Saturday, Bragg's office said it is "not appropriate for Congress to interfere with pending local investigations."

"This unprecedented inquiry by federal elected officials into an ongoing matter serves only to hinder, disrupt and undermine the legitimate work of our dedicated prosecutors," his office said.

Read more about the GOP request for information on the Trump case here.

-ABC News' Lauren Peller

A spokesman for New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement Friday evening condemning the threatening letter sent to District Attorney Alvin Bragg that included powder later deemed non-hazardous.

"While we cannot comment on the specifics of any ongoing investigation, no public official should ever be subject to threats for doing his or her job," the statement read.

The spokesman added, "I'm confident that every elected official in the City, including Manhattan DA Bragg, will continue to do their work undeterred, and anyone found to be engaging in illegal conduct will be brought to justice."

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg thanked his staff for their "strength and professionalism" in an email sent Friday and reassured them the powder sent to him in a letter discovered earlier in the day was not hazardous.

The email, which was obtained by ABC News, was sent to Bragg's 1,600-member staff about three hours after the letter was discovered in a basement mail room on Friday.

"I want to reiterate my message from Saturday: your safety is our top priority," the email said, referring to an earlier message to staff obtained by ABC News that followed former President Donald Trump’s social media call for protest and an inaccurate prediction he would be arrested on Tuesday.

The latest message revealed that some in the office had received "offensive or threatening phone calls or emails" and Bragg apologized for what he called the "distressing disruptions."

Bragg concluded with his often-repeated vow to apply the law evenly and fairly.

He also mentioned a film shoot occurring this weekend outside the courthouse at 60 Centre St. could include simulated explosions.

While 45% of Americans believe former President Donald Trump should face charges in an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, 32% say he shouldn't have been indicted, according to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll.

Another 23% of American say they don't know whether the nation's 45th president should face charges.

While the charges have not been announced, a Manhattan grand jury that indicted Trump had been hearing evidence in a $130,000 hush money payment Trump allegedly made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claims they had an affair. Trump has denied the allegations.

The poll showed a split in opinions along party lines. While 88% of Democrats said Trump should face charges, 62%, of Republicans said the former president should not have been charged while 16% said he should be charged, and the remainder was uncertain.

About 47% of Americans polled say the charges are politically motivated, echoing the sentiment from top GOP figures. About 79% of Republicans hold that view.

-ABC News' Brittany Shepherd