Why Stefanik's new ethics complaint against Judge Merchan matters

[LetMyPeopleVote]

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 Trump’s 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 Trump’s 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 it’s 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 commission’s members aren’t 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 Trump’s 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 Trump’s 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 it’s 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 commission’s members aren’t 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. It's much more than trying to score political points.

As Rachael Maddow’s 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 nation’s history.

Stefanik and her ilk are certainly trying for a similar outcome.

[H2O Man]

4. Perhapd you could

list three of the maga cult that have had a benefit from such a move.

[GreenWave]

28. Seems to me there are around 140 in Congress not investigated for trying to overthrow Joe Biden

on J-6. Looks like some from SCROTUS were in on it too. Financiers still walking freely too.

[H2O Man]

36. That is true.

Yet it avoids answering my question, doesn't it?

[NJCher]

20. while I take Rachel seriously

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]

30. More Maddow was telling us to beware that tactics of the past are part of our present and systematic.

USA dodged the fascist bullet before but the tendency to fascism happens and the present resembles past outbreaks.

[NJCher]

35. so glad I read

Escape from Freedom when I was a young teen. It tells why there is a tendency for fascism to happen.

[GenThePerservering]

37. Her weight has to do with her crap politics

how?

[Conjuay]

41. More body shaming,

Yeah!

[MagickMuffin]

2. I never saw why it matters 🤷🏼‍♀️

It appears it isn’t really going anywhere but just the scoring cheap political points with her lord and master, their golden idol.

[gristy]

17. I'm also not seeing why it matters...

Even with the article snippet posted twice in the OP!

[MorbidButterflyTat]

31. Wondering same

[H2O Man]

3. Recommended.

There is little to no chance of this doing more than showing the defendant that she will humiliate herself for him.

[returnee]

5. Just setting the stage for appeal.

Quite devious, imho.

[ScratchCat]

8. An appeal has to be based upon a matter or law

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]

10. How would this have anything to do with an appeal???

[returnee]

16. I defer to greater legal minds than my own

but could failure to recuse when indicated be an issue? Or could it just be one more possible delay tactic, even if it won’t go anywhere?

[MorbidButterflyTat]

32. MAGAts don't get to decide who should recuse

[moondust]

6. Spineless, corrupt political hack

abusing power to aid and abet the corrupt wannabe dictator.

[KS Toronado]

7. She's not his type.

[NJCher]

21. LOL

see my post 20 above.

[HariSeldon]

9. Sadly, it's more than scoring cheap points

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]

33. Then should it be taken seriously? Maybe Judge Merchan should recuse because MAGAts might get angry?

I think some people give too much credit to the alleged minds of MAGAts.

[HariSeldon]

34. Merchan recuse? No!

But there should be penalties for filing frivolous ethics complaints.

[ShazzieB]

11. I really wish he would just pick a running mate already.

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]

12. Such a crap load of performative wannabes, all competing to get Daddy's attention and approval.

It's truly pathetic.

[imanamerican63]

13. A sitting Congress member is filing a complaint against a setting district judge?

Amazing!

[EleanorR]

14. It's about marginalizing anyone with even a whiff of D about them

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]

40. That's been going on for at least 25 years.

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]

15. One name Rosie ODonnell

Stefanik needs to watch Trump's comments about Rosie. She's in the same category. No VP for her.

[Mr.Bill]

18. Trying to win a ball game

by spitting on the umpires.

[Attilatheblond]

19. Well, it looks like all the GOPers know Trump is going down on these charges

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]

22. They all see themselves sitting in the Glory Chair after *rump, for whatever reason, doesn't finish his term.

[Traurigkeit]

23. Can't wait for Stefanik to be kicked out of her seat in The House, then kicked out of NY!!

[ffr]

24. And as glaringly obvious as staring at the Sun, no mention of Aileen Cannon. Tells you all you need to know

about how well her loyalty to TSF is admired within the QOP. It's a wretched stink!

[calimary]

25. Can complaints be filed against HER?

[Bev54]

26. She is just a front man, these lawsuits are being brought by RW groups and she is happy to lend her face

She has no idea of the ethics laws etc, but she is stupid enough to prostitute herself to these groups.

[duckworth969]

27. Stunt

Stefanik will get slapped down again.

[SWBTATTReg]

29. Why doesn't she simply walk into MAL, naked? Probably too ugly, being that her personality is just as bad.

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]

38. He's never gonna pick you, hatemuppet...

…and you cry yourself to sleep nights snarfing down countless Chik-Fil-As knowing exactly why, LOL

[Rhiannon12866]

39. She's trying to be just like TFG.

No concern for constituents, only performing for a constituent of one.