(ORDO News) — A federal judge, Tanya Chutkan, has rejected former President Donald Trump‘s request for her to step aside from a federal case in which he is accused of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The judge ruled that her previous comments in court, made while sentencing individuals involved in the Capitol riot, did not demonstrate bias against Trump and did not warrant her recusal from the case.
Trump’s legal team had argued that Judge Chutkan’s remarks during hearings for Capitol riot defendants indicated that she had already formed conclusions about Trump’s criminal responsibility, making her unable to be impartial.
They pointed to comments in which Chutkan mentioned that rioters were motivated by “blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.”
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting the case, opposed Trump’s request, asserting that the former president had mischaracterized routine comments made by Chutkan during hearings involving other cases related to the Capitol riot.
The decision means that Judge Chutkan will continue to oversee the case against Trump, making crucial rulings on legal matters and the scope of evidence. It marks the second time Trump has unsuccessfully sought the recusal of a judge in a criminal case against him, following a similar request being denied in a New York state court case.
The case involves four felony counts against Trump related to his alleged interference with the counting and certification of votes in the 2020 election. Trump, who is currently a frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 election, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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