‘The truth hurts’: Rep Elise Stefanik bashed for filing complaint against judge who ruled in Jan 6, Trump cases

WASHINGTON, DC: Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, has filed a complaint against a federal judge who presided over several cases related to the events of January 6.

In her complaint, Stefanik requested an ethics investigation into US District Court Judge Beryl Howell over allegations of judicial misconduct.

Stefanik, who is known for her support of former President Donald Trump and is a member of the House GOP leadership, criticized Howell's "highly inappropriate political speech" at an event in November this year.

Stefanik argued that the remarks Judge Howell made on November 27, 2023, when she accepted an award at a Women’s White Collar Defense Association gala were, "plainly inappropriate, consisting of partisan statements, election interference, and improper extrajudicial statements while criminal cases are pending".

This complaint was directed to Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the DC Court of Appeals and was reported by NBC News.

What did Rep. Stefanik’s complaint against Judge Howell entail?

Congresswoman Stefanik pointed to a passage in a book by author Heather Cox Richardson, titled ‘Democracy Awakening,’ which stated that the United States was "at a crossroads, teetering on the brink of authoritarianism", as evidence that Judge Howell's speech veered into politicization.

The Congresswoman argued that Judge Howell "promoted the Democrat political campaign theme that the re-election of Donald Trump equates to America choosing authoritarianism".

While Judge Howell did not mention Trump or Republicans by name, she alluded to the former president, including in her remarks the January 6 storming of the Capitol.

Congresswoman Stefanik claimed that Howell's speech "insinuated that the election of President Trump will lead to fascism in America".

In response to Howell's November speech, Congresswoman Stefanik filed a judicial misconduct complaint against the judge.

The Republican Congresswoman stated, "I filed a judicial misconduct complaint against Judge Howell, because election interference by judges destroys public confidence in the federal judiciary, tears apart the fabric of our Republic, and is illegal. It must end now.”

Stefanik also mentioned Howell's comments about Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, who was also honored at last month's event.

Monaco is in charge of all cases involving the January 6, 2021 riot at the United States Capitol spurred by a mob of supporters of then-Republican President Donald J. Trump.

In her acceptance speech, Howell praised Monaco by saying, "I've been in awe of how you remain a model of calm and grace when carrying enormous responsibility for the safety of so many. Not just in your current job, but in your prior national security role."

What did Judge Howell say in her speech?

Howell's acceptance speech emphasized the importance of facts and referred to the January 6 attack on the Capitol building.

“My D.C. judicial colleagues and I regularly see the impact of big lies at the sentencing of hundreds, hundreds of individuals who have been convicted for offense conduct on Jan. 6, 2021, when they disrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential election at the U.S. Capitol,” the judge said in her speech in November.

“As district court judges, we are all about the facts," she added.

According to the Department of Justice, over 1,200 individuals have been charged in connection with the events of January 6, with more than 700 having pleaded guilty to federal charges.

Representative Stefanik was among the 147 Republicans who voted against certifying the election on that day.

Judge Howell, a presidential appointee during the Obama administration, has presided over decisions pertaining to January 6 defendants, in which she has rejected arguments made by Trump’s lawyers. Judge Howell also supervised the grand jury for the Mueller probe, as well as the indictment of Trump by special counsel, Jack Smith.

Currently, Judge Howell is overseeing a civil defamation trial involving Rudy Giuliani, whom she found liable for spreading conspiracy theories about two Georgia election workers, falsely accusing them of manipulating ballots in the 2020 election and causing turmoil in their lives.

Judge Howell's tenure as Chief Judge spanned seven years, and that position is currently held by James Boasberg.

It is noteworthy that Rep. Stefanik filed an ethics complaint against Judge Arthur Engoron in November, alleging "clear judicial bias" against the former president, who is presiding over a $250 million civil fraud case against Trump and seeking his recusal from the case.

Internet mocks Stefanik’s arguments against Judge Howell

People on X weren’t having any of Stefanik’s arguments of bias against Judge Beryl Howell. Moreover, they urged the New York Congresswoman to stop filing these complaints.

One X user said: “The truth hurts, doesn't it?"

Another user wrote: "Donald Trump tore apart the fabric of our country. It’s about time he faces consequences."

Another user stated: "‘The Apprentice’: VP Edition All this bootlicking and running interference for a criminal is because Elise thinks she has a good shot at becoming Trump’s running mate."

One user tweeted: "What’s bills have you guys passed on behalf of the American people? This is what you do all day everyday."

Another user remarked: "If you really feel that way, where are your complaints against half the SCOTUS justices? Total hypocrite!"

Finally, this X user remarked: "If breathing took conscious effort and energy, Elisa Stefanik would quickly perish. She accomplishes nothing of importance. It’s just too much work for her."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.