The third most powerful House Republican is getting involved in the ongoing business fraud trial involving Donald Trump.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) filed an ethics complaint against Judge Arthur Engoron on Friday morning in a letter to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct accusing Engoron of exhibiting “bias” in the courtroom.
“I write today to express my serious concerns about the inappropriate bias and judicial intemperance shown by Judge Arthur Engoron in New York’s lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Organization,” Stefanik said in her letter.
“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,” the letter continued.
“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,” Stefanik wrote.
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ case accuses Trump, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization, and top executives of falsely inflating the values of Trump’s real estate properties and other assets in order to get tax benefits and better loan terms.
James seeks around $250 million in damages, and she wants to bar Trump and his co-defendants from running another business in New York.
Trump supporters have accused the New York judge of acting with bias from the start of the trial when cameras caught him smiling when they were allowed into the courtroom.
Stefanik cited that and other reported incidents in her letter, as well as a limited gag order Engoron imposed on Trump and his lawyers. (RELATED: New York Judge Issues Gag Order After Barrage Of Trump Insults)
“Judge Engoron has gone on to gag and fine President Trump for merely criticizing Judge Engoron’s law clerk, which is core political speech protected by the First Amendment,” Stefanik said. “If anyone in America must have the constitutional right to speak out against the judge, his staff, the witnesses, or the process, it’s a defendant going through a process he believes is politicized and weaponized against him.”
“Judge Engoron’s bizarre and biased behavior is making New York’s judicial system a laughingstock” Stafanik finished.
When asked for comment on Stefanik’s letter, Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian told Fox News: “All matters before the Commission on Judicial Conduct are confidential according to law, unless and until a judge is found to have committed ethical misconduct, and a decision to that effect is issued.”
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