Top Republican Elise Stefanik demands ethics probe into D.C. judge who’s ruled in Trump’s January 6 case after she said his re-election would ‘lead to fascism’ in America and said ‘lies’ caused Capitol Riot
- Stefanik requested an ethics investigation into DC Circuit Court Judge Beryl Howell following her comments in November at the Women's White Collar Defense Gala
- During the speech, Howell indicated that the January 5 riot at the Capitol was the result of 'big lies'
Top Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik filed a complaint with the judiciary, accusing the judge in Donald Trump's Jan. 6 case of making “highly inappropriate political statements.”
The staunch Trump ally and GOP conference chair called for an ethics investigation into DC Circuit Court Judge Beryl Howell following her comments in November at the Women's White Collar Defense Gala.
During the speech, Howell indicated that the January 5 Capitol riot was the result of “big lies.”
“My legal colleagues in DC and I regularly see the impact of big lies in the sentencing of hundreds upon hundreds of individuals convicted of criminal conduct on January 6, 2021, when they disrupted the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Capitol,” Howell said as he accepted an award at the event.
Top Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik filed a complaint with the judiciary, accusing the judge in Donald Trump's Jan. 6 case of making “highly inappropriate political statements”
More than 1,200 people have been charged in connection with the riot. More than 700 have pleaded guilty to federal charges.
Stefanik also pointed out a point in the speech where Howell referenced a book by Heather Cox Richardson, “Democracy Awakening,” which said the U.S. was “at a crossroads, teetering on the edge of authoritarianism.”
“Howell gave a highly inappropriate speech insinuating that the election of President Trump will lead to fascism in America,” Stefanik said in a statement on X.
Stefanik has also filed an ethics complaint against Judge Arthur Engeron, who is presiding over Trump's $250 million civil fraud case.
The staunch Trump ally and GOP conference chair called for an ethics investigation into DC Circuit Court Judge Beryl Howell following her comments in November at the Women's White Collar Defense Gala
She is also presiding over Rudy Giuliani's defamation lawsuit, in which two Georgia election workers are seeking $47 million, claiming Giuliani played an outsized role in “eroding” their reputations because he falsely accused them of committing election fraud.
Howell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled against the Jan. 6 defendants and rejected arguments from Trump lawyers.
Howell oversaw special counsel Jack Smith's indictment against Trump — and also oversaw the grand jury in the Mueller investigation.
She is also presiding over Rudy Giuliani's defamation lawsuit, in which two Georgia election workers are seeking $47 million, claiming Giuliani played an outsized role in “eroding” their reputations because he falsely accused them of committing election fraud.