Elise Stefanik makes last-ditch effort to disrupt Trump fraud case with ethics complaint

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) made a last-ditch effort to disrupt the civil fraud case against Donald Trump by filing an ethics complaint against New York Attorney General Letitia James Tuesday.

The New York Republican, who's considered to be a leading candidate to become Trump's running mate, alleged in a complaint to the state bar association that James is "conducting a biased investigation and prosecution" of Trump and "attacking" him through "extrajudicial statements."

"In just the first five weeks of the trial that began in October 2023 — before I stopped counting — Ms. James made over 50 highly inappropriate and prejudicial comments on social media," Stefanik wrote in a 64-page letter to the New York Committee on Professional Standards.

"This complaint respectfully requests that the Attorney Grievance Committee conduct an investigation and issue an immediate interim suspension, disbar Ms. James as an attorney and counselor-at-law, or suspend Ms. James."

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James sued Trump and the Trump Organization for fraud, saying that it overvalued its properties in an attempt to secure favorable loans and insurance. Judge Arthur Engoron found the defendants liable, but held a trial to decide damages. That decision is imminent.

Stefanik has filed multiple ethics complaints against judges overseeing cases involving the former president, including Engoron.

"While all Americans possess the right to express their opinions on matters of public interest, attorneys — particularly state attorneys general — are held to a higher standard due to their unique role as officers of the court," Stefanik said in a statement.