Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, has lodged a formal complaint with the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct accusing the presiding judge in the ongoing hush money case against former President Trump of a conflict of interest and demanding his recusal. The complaint, issued on Tuesday, centers around the role of Juan Merchan, an acting justice of the New York State Supreme Court, in the criminal case involving President Trump, as well as the professional activities of Judge Merchan’s daughter representing Democratic politicians.
Stefanik publicly criticized the judge before filing the formal complaint. Last week, in a statement, she asserted that Judge Merchan “donated to Biden” and that his adult daughter was “raising millions from the trial” and that “he knows he must recuse himself under New York state regulations.”
In her statement on May 17th, she said, “The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct just reprimanded Merchan for improper political donations in 2020, the American people are beginning to understand that Merchan is a corrupt judge presiding over Biden’s Democratic legal war against Trump’s election interference, while fattening his family’s wallets. Merchan is a disgrace to our New York judicial system.”
Stefanik emphasized in her letter to the committee that Judge Merchan oversaw the case of former President Trump, who could face 136 years in prison if convicted. Stefanik believed that this case has far-reaching implications not only for President Trump but for the broader political landscape as well, as President Trump is the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party in the upcoming presidential election.
Expressing concerns about Judge Merchan’s impartiality, Stefanik highlighted that Judge Merchan’s daughter is the CEO of Authentic Campaigns, a company representing prominent Democratic politicians and political action committees (PAC) engaging in fundraising activities related to Trump’s indictment.
According to the complaint, these clients used Trump’s indictment as a fundraising tool. For instance, Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California and a client of Authentic Campaigns, raised around $20 million from $10 donations made in response to the indictment, while the Senate Majority PAC raised roughly $73.6 million following the indictment.
Stefanik cited a section of the Rules of Judicial Conduct in the New York State Unified Court System, which mandates a judge’s recusal if their close relatives stand to gain significant financial benefits from the litigation.
Stefanik asserted that the daughter’s professional involvement constitutes a conflict of interest since her fundraising activities for clients are directly related to the cases her father oversees.
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining public confidence in the judiciary, particularly in politically sensitive cases, Stefanik wrote in her complaint, “It is imperative to instill trust in New Yorkers and all Americans that the judiciary in New York is fair, especially in politically sensitive cases where bias is most likely to arise.”
Stefanik concluded by urging an investigation into Judge Merchan’s conduct and appropriate disciplinary action. She stated that Judge Merchan’s handling of the unprecedented criminal trial, based on his daughter’s financial situation, clearly demonstrates a conflict of interest, severely damaging the court’s impartial image.
The defense rested on May 21st, and closing statements will be heard next week in New York. Stefanik added, “Given the clientele of Judge Merchan’s daughter, and the fact that these individuals have and will continue to raise substantial funds from the charges against President Trump, the more Merchan’s daughter benefits, the greater the legal threat to President Trump. The relationships between her and Judge Merchan fall within the sixth degree; in fact, as Judge Merchan’s daughter, her relationship falls within the first degree, thus directly falling under a section of the Rules of Judicial Conduct requiring recusal. Since Judge Merchan has refused to do so, I urge you (referring to the committee) to investigate his actions and impose any necessary disciplinary measures.”
Epoch Times reached out to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, but the organization has yet to issue a public response to Rep. Stefanik’s complaint.