House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) are seeking explanations regarding a delay in the investigation of a judge’s remarks about former President Donald Trump.
The two lawmakers dispatched a letter to the Office of the Circuit Executive of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Monday. They requested updates on the status of a complaint filed by Stefanik against Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
In her original December 2023 complaint, Stefanik alleged that Howell made an “extremely inappropriate political speech” during the Women’s White Collar Defense Association’s gala the month before. She specifically accused Howell of making partisan statements and commenting on Trump-related proceedings that were pending before the court.
Trump was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election in a case prosecuted by special counsel Jack Smith.
In their joint letter to the circuit executive, the Republican lawmakers stated that “the status of Representative Stefanik’s complaint and its contents remain unaddressed — despite Representative Stefanik filing her complaint three times via different methods.” They also noted that the executive at one point mentioned the complaint had been incorrectly filed.
The pair requested specific information from the Office of the Circuit Executive, including the current status of Stefanik’s complaint, any identified problems with the complaint and their resolution, and any investigative actions taken in response to the allegations against Howell, among other details.
Jordan and Stefanik have asked for a briefing with the Office of the Circuit Executive to be scheduled no later than 5 p.m. on June 3.
