Elise Stefanik files ethics complaint against judge in Trump's trial, Internet asks her to 'sit down'

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Rep Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is intensifying her campaign against New York judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over former President Donald Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan.

Stefanik has formally filed an ethics complaint, alleging a conflict of interest and sparking a mixed reaction online.

Rep Elise Stefanik demands Judge Juan Merchan's recusal

Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally and the chair of the House Republican Conference has publicly called for Judge Merchan to recuse himself from the case. Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.

In a statement to Axios, Stefanik argued that "Acting Judge [Juan] Merchan is in clear violation of section 100.3(E)(1)(d)(iii) of the Rules of Judicial Conduct for the New York State Unified Court System as his family has enriched itself through anti-Trump fundraising mentioning this case directly."

She added that a Trump acquittal would be "detrimental to Democrats, including clients of Judge Merchan's daughter."

Donald Trump's attacks on Judge Juan Merchan's daughter lead to gag order

Trump has repeatedly targeted Merchan's daughter, Loren, for her work with a Democratic consulting firm, prompting the judge to issue a gag order prohibiting Trump from discussing the matter during the trial.

"Stefanik ... has filed five formal complaints against judges and prosecutors involved in cases against Trump," highlighted the Axios report."

"Those include complaints to the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, the New York Bar Association and DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility. In November of last year, Stefanik previously filed an ethics complaint against Judge Arthur Engoron, the judge presiding over Trump's civil fraud trial, accusing Engoron of 'weaponized lawfare' against Trump" that was ultimately dismissed.

Netizens divided on Elise Stefanik's support for Donald Trump

A user tweeted, "Who remembers when Elise Stefanik didn't support Trump?" Another added, "At least Warrior Elise Stefanik is trying to fight back…she has more courage than most." 

A third said, "Judge Merchan laughs at you and your desperate attempt to be picked as trumps losing VP." "This is what sycophants do when they know their cult leader is guilty. It won't get far, but it's all about the appearance of trying," read a tweet. 

"Looks like someone is angling for a high level position in the Trump administration," said a user. "Sit down please !!" mocked a chairbound user.

A user wrote, "About time someone files a bar complaint against this ACTING judge. Total disgrace to our justice system. He needs to be fired TODAY!" "What took so long? The conflict of interest has been in the public domain for weeks. The trial is nearly over," stated another.

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