Rep. Elise Stefanik, the No. 3 House Republican leader, has filed an ethics complaint against Judge Arthur Engoron, the presiding judge in the New York civil trial of former President Donald Trump.
Stefanik accuses Judge Engoron of displaying bias and engaging in bizarre behavior in the courtroom. In her letter to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Stefanik expresses her serious concerns about the judge’s inappropriate bias and judicial intemperance.
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She argues that Judge Engoron’s behavior is not in line with the principles of due process and a fair trial, especially given that the defendant is a leading candidate for President of the United States.
The ongoing trial, brought by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, focuses on whether the Trump Organization and its top officials knowingly misrepresented the value of their real estate holdings.
Trump and his three adult children have all testified in the trial, which is being held in a New York City courtroom.
Stefanik’s complaint stems from several incidents, including Judge Engoron’s alleged bias at the start of the trial and his decision to impose a limited gag order on Trump and his lawyers.
She argues that the judge’s actions infringe on the defendant’s rights to free speech and contribute to the politicization of the judicial system.
The congresswoman also criticizes Judge Engoron’s valuation of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which she considers implausibly low. She suggests that the case should have been assigned to expert judges in the Commercial Division to ensure a fair and unbiased trial.
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Stefanik concludes her letter by stating that Judge Engoron’s behavior is tarnishing the reputation of New York’s judicial system and turning it into a laughingstock.
While both Trump and his allies have criticized Judge Engoron, the Commission on Judicial Conduct has not provided a comment on Stefanik’s complaint. The New York State Unified Court System has also not responded to our requests for comment.
