Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has filed an ethics complaint against the New York judge overseeing Donald Trump’s $250 million civil fraud trial.
In a letter to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Stefanik accused Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron of showing “clear judicial bias” against Trump and displayed “bizarre behavior.”
The letter parroted many of the arguments Trump made on Truth Social including that Engoron illegally gagged Trump and violated rules with financial contributions to Democrats.
“All Americans, including political opponents, must receive due process and equal protection under our U.S. and New York Constitutions,” Stefanik wrote. “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.”
The commission does not have the authority to remove specific judges from cases.
Engoron is presiding over the $250 million civil fraud case brought against Trump and his family business by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
James is accusing the Trump family business of falsely inflating and deflating the value of its assets to receive lower taxes and better insurance coverage. Engoron already found Trump, his sons Don Jr. and Eric, and their companies liable for fraud. The trial is to determine damages.
Stefanik’s letter comes after Trump and his children testified in the trial, though experts agree their testimony did more harm than good.
In addition to the $250 million in damages, James wants to permanently ban the Trump family from doing business in New York.
