Former U.S. Attorney and DOJ Official Claim New York’s Legal System Corrupt for Nicolas Maduro Trial

By Sam Barron | Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Former U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia Joe diGenova and former senior official at the Department of Justice Victoria Toensing stated on Tuesday that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro should be tried in Miami rather than New York.

“Toensing said: ‘New York has a corrupt legal system,’ she added, citing past trials involving President Donald Trump. ‘Even their federal judges are unethical.'”

Toensing and diGenova noted that Judge Alvin Hellerstein has previously ruled against Trump in other cases, including by blocking the deportation of immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act without due process.

“He can do all kinds of mischief,” Toensing said of the Clinton appointee.

DiGenova expressed concern about the jury pool in New York City being sympathetic to Maduro.

“This is an old case from years ago,” diGenova stated. “The bottom line is that he needs to be reindicted in Miami.”

DiGenova also said individual states could file charges against Maduro for damage caused by his drug smuggling operations across the United States.

“His drug smuggling operation with narcoterrorists was a cartel-style operation that smuggled drugs through Florida, Texas, and into Mexico and other countries via land and sea routes,” diGenova explained.

“And they went all over the United States,” diGenova added. “With assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, various state attorneys general would be able to make cases.”

DiGenova said state trials would occur after Maduro’s federal trial.