On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Demand Progress and Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) filed an ethics complaint against Florida judge Edward L. Artau. The complaint has been submitted to both the D.C. Court of Appeals and the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, calling for an investigation into Artau’s conduct regarding potential conflicts of interest, impartiality, and misleading statements.

Edward L. Artau, who was nominated by former President Donald Trump to serve on a federal district court, has faced scrutiny following a favorable ruling he issued in a defamation lawsuit involving Trump and the Pulitzer Prize Board. Reports indicate that Artau sought Trump’s nomination shortly after the president’s election victory in 2024. He subsequently ruled in favor of Trump while serving on a panel of state appellate judges deliberating on the lawsuit’s progression.

The ethics complaint highlights Artau’s solo concurrence that praised the merits of Trump’s claims in the defamation case. Following this ruling, he received his nomination for a position on the U.S. trial court in South Florida. Additionally, during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Artau allegedly provided incomplete and misleading information regarding his actions surrounding the defamation case.

Emily Peterson-Cassin, director of corporate power at Demand Progress, emphasized the importance of judicial integrity, stating that a federal judge’s role should focus on upholding the law and maintaining public confidence in the judiciary. She expressed concern about Artau’s actions, including his failure to recuse himself from the lawsuit and his testimony to the Senate.

Seth Stern, director of advocacy at FPF, echoed these sentiments, asserting that judges have a responsibility to protect against attacks on the free press and the rule of law. He criticized Artau’s actions as undermining the integrity expected from judges and urged disciplinary commissions to address ethical violations that could affect the broader democratic framework.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.