High-ranking Republican Stefanik files ethics complaint against judge in Trump fraud trial

Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik filed a judicial ethics complaint against the New York judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s fraud trial, calling on the judge to resign over “inappropriate bias and judicial intemperance.”

Mrs. Stefanik, the no. 4 Republican in House GOP leadership, wrote in her complaint to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct that Judge Arthur Engoron has shown a “clear judicial bias” in presiding over Mr. Trump’s fraud trial and that he has broken “several rules” in New York’s judicial conduct code. 

“This judge’s bizarre behavior has no place in our judicial system, where Judge Engoron is not honoring the defendant’s rights to due process and a fair trial,” Mrs. Stefanik said. “These serious concerns are exacerbated by the fact that the defendant is the leading candidate for President of the United States, and it appears the judicial system is being politicized to affect the outcome of the campaign.”

The fraud case was brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who says Mr. Trump, his two adult sons, his company and top executives fraudulently inflated the values of their assets to get tax benefits and advantageous loan terms.

Mr. Trump has long held that the fraud case and dozens of other criminal charges stemming from other indictments against him are part of a Democratic plot to thwart his 2024 presidential bid. 

The former president’s lawyers were unsuccessful in requesting an immediate verdict in the trial on Thursday. The trial is expected to go until mid-December.

“Judge Engoron should end the ridiculous Political Witch Hunt against me,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social. “I have TOTALLY WON THIS CASE, which should never have been brought.”

Mrs. Stefanik dug into that point, writing that Judge Engoron and his staff have donated to Democratic political organizations. She noted that New York law says judges “shall refrain” from donating to political organizations. 

The lawmaker also said that Judge Engoron’s law clerk, Allison Greenfield, has donated to Democratic causes and organizations beyond the limit established by New York law, which orders judges to prohibit staff from donating more than $500 to a political campaign in a calendar year. 

Mrs. Stefanik said that Judge Engoron issued an “illegal gag order” after Mr. Trump’s attorneys notified the judge of the issue. The judge imposed a gag order, which Mr. Trump has broken and has since been fined for because the former president posted attacks against Ms. Greenfield on his social media platform. 

The lawmaker also took issue with Judge Engoron’s finding that Mar-A-Lago, Mr. Trump’s palatial waterfront property in Florida, was worth between $18 million and $26 million. 

“Judge Engoron’s disdain for President Trump and his politics are evident, and the Commission must take corrective action to restore a just process and protect our constitutional rights. Judge Engoron must recuse from this case,” Mrs. Stefanik said.