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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy Stefanik's new ethics complaint against Judge Merchan matters
House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik is apparently trying to corner the market in filing ethics complaints. Judge Juan Merchan is her new target.
Link to tweet
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/stefaniks-new-ethics-complaint-judge-merchan-matters-rcna153444
As assorted partisans compete for Donald Trumps attention, his would-be running mates each try to excel in a specific area. For her part, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik is apparently trying to corner the market in baseless ethics complaints. Axios reported:Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) filed an ethics complaint Tuesday accusing the judge presiding over former President Trumps New York hush money trial of a conflict of interest, Axios has learned. ... The letter is unlikely to have an immediate effect on the trial, but its the latest chapter in Trump allies attempting to defend the former president by lodging complaints against the judge and prosecutors involved in the case.
The Axios report has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, though the New York congresswoman confirmed to the outlet that she believes Judge Juan Merchan has run afoul of state ethics laws.
The allegations are difficult to take seriously, but the point of this political gesture is not to present a compelling case to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Indeed, the commissions members arent even the intended audience. Rather, this is about Stefanik trying to score cheap points with Mar-a-Lago.
Or, more to the point, Stefanik is trying to score cheap points with Mar-a-Lago again......
As assorted partisans compete for Donald Trumps attention, his would-be running mates each try to excel in a specific area. For her part, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik is apparently trying to corner the market in baseless ethics complaints. Axios reported:
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) filed an ethics complaint Tuesday accusing the judge presiding over former President Trumps New York hush money trial of a conflict of interest, Axios has learned. ... The letter is unlikely to have an immediate effect on the trial, but its the latest chapter in Trump allies attempting to defend the former president by lodging complaints against the judge and prosecutors involved in the case.
The Axios report has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, though the New York congresswoman confirmed to the outlet that she believes Judge Juan Merchan has run afoul of state ethics laws.
The allegations are difficult to take seriously, but the point of this political gesture is not to present a compelling case to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Indeed, the commissions members arent even the intended audience. Rather, this is about Stefanik trying to score cheap points with Mar-a-Lago.
Or, more to the point, Stefanik is trying to score cheap points with Mar-a-Lago again.
WestMichRad
(1,379 posts)As Rachael Maddows feature this past Monday explained, such tactics have historically succeeded in getting prosecutors and investigators tossed, and ultimately thwarted the prosecutions of Nazi sympathizers in our government. A sad chapter in our nations history.
Stefanik and her ilk are certainly trying for a similar outcome.
H2O Man
(73,994 posts)list three of the maga cult that have had a benefit from such a move.
GreenWave
(7,253 posts)on J-6. Looks like some from SCROTUS were in on it too. Financiers still walking freely too.
H2O Man
(73,994 posts)Yet it avoids answering my question, doesn't it?
NJCher
(36,092 posts)I don't think she is telling us this is going to happen. She is warning us that it could and we need to stay on top of this.
Ummm, Elise, errrrr, I think you'd be better off investing your time at the gym, getting rid of that double chin. After all, you know trump didn't want to appear in public with his own daughter, Tiffany, because he thought she was fat. Your time would be much better spend on the treadmill, dear.
oh and p.s. stop asking your staff to bring in Krispy Kremes to the office. Just a tip.
PufPuf23
(8,953 posts)USA dodged the fascist bullet before but the tendency to fascism happens and the present resembles past outbreaks.
NJCher
(36,092 posts)GenThePerservering
(1,998 posts)how?
Conjuay
(1,523 posts)Yeah!
MagickMuffin
(16,097 posts)It appears it isnt really going anywhere but just the scoring cheap political points with her lord and master, their golden idol.
gristy
(10,675 posts)Even with the article snippet posted twice in the OP!
MorbidButterflyTat
(1,958 posts)H2O Man
(73,994 posts)There is little to no chance of this doing more than showing the defendant that she will humiliate herself for him.
returnee
(96 posts)Quite devious, imho.
ScratchCat
(2,072 posts)This does not create a matter of law. Trump's attorneys can't use this as part of an appeal. As pointed out previously, she did this in lieu of a law suit because she does not have standing to file a law suit. The complaint matters not and will be thrown in the trash.
obamanut2012
(26,327 posts)returnee
(96 posts)but could failure to recuse when indicated be an issue? Or could it just be one more possible delay tactic, even if it wont go anywhere?
MorbidButterflyTat
(1,958 posts)moondust
(20,095 posts)abusing power to aid and abet the corrupt wannabe dictator.
KS Toronado
(17,850 posts)see my post 20 above.
HariSeldon
(465 posts)This is about creating/amplifying a narrative -- specifically, the narrative that the system is rigged against Trump.
Those with a firm belief that Trump is innocent will see the rejection of this meritless complaint as proof that the entire court system in NY is corrupt. Stefanik is playing to their established, ironclad beliefs.
MorbidButterflyTat
(1,958 posts)I think some people give too much credit to the alleged minds of MAGAts.
HariSeldon
(465 posts)But there should be penalties for filing frivolous ethics complaints.
ShazzieB
(16,973 posts)The clowns who are vying for his favor have become more annoying than the orange man himself, due to their sheer numbers. I really wish he would pick somebody and shut the circus down.
Of course he's in no hurry, because he's enjoying the attention too much. GROAN
Martin68
(23,399 posts)It's truly pathetic.
imanamerican63
(13,915 posts)Amazing!
EleanorR
(2,419 posts)They're saying no judge, university president, media personality, jury with any ties to Democrats is capable of adjudicating in a fair and unbiased manner. They're training their cult to process anything from the left as inherently invalid.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,799 posts)The RW propaganda machine has been leading up to Dolt 45 and the total RW "Christian" takeover of the USA and they are on the verge of success now that Dolt 45 showed them they can blatantly lie, and cheat, steal, and claim the right to kill.
rockbluff botanist
(88 posts)Stefanik needs to watch Trump's comments about Rosie. She's in the same category. No VP for her.
Mr.Bill
(24,438 posts)by spitting on the umpires.
Attilatheblond
(2,496 posts)Defense knew they had no defense against the charges, and didn't even try, so maybe they are just looking for delays that will come from appeals.
The GOP pols know it but are willing to play games to show TSF how devoted to him they are.
And most obviously, The Sick Fuck knows it but still thinks he has the juice to save himself by playing mob boss.
NBachers
(17,319 posts)Traurigkeit
(932 posts)ffr
(22,712 posts)about how well her loyalty to TSF is admired within the QOP. It's a wretched stink!
calimary
(81,988 posts)Bev54
(10,183 posts)She has no idea of the ethics laws etc, but she is stupid enough to prostitute herself to these groups.
duckworth969
(812 posts)Stefanik will get slapped down again.
SWBTATTReg
(22,540 posts)You know, it's time to get serious people, and get back to not playing political games, and BS. She doesn't deserve to be a member of Congress.
LowerManhattanite
(2,397 posts)and you cry yourself to sleep nights snarfing down countless Chik-Fil-As knowing exactly why, LOL
Rhiannon12866
(209,346 posts)No concern for constituents, only performing for a constituent of one.