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US District Judge Tanya Chutkan has dismissed former President Donald Trump’s plea for her recusal from a case regarding his alleged illegal attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
In her Wednesday ruling, Judge Chutkan addressed Trump’s claims of bias based on her previous court remarks during the sentencing of Capitol riot convicts. Trump’s attorneys had pointed to comments such as the rioters being motivated by “blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day” as proof of her preconceived notions regarding his criminal liability.
Chutkan responded, writing, “The statements certainly do not manifest a deep-seated prejudice that would make fair judgment impossible.” She emphasized that her comments during prior hearings did not indicate any pre-determined opinions about third parties in potential upcoming cases.
More on the case:
Trump faces charges of attempting to disrupt the vote counting and certification process of the 2020 election. He has entered a not-guilty plea. Special Counsel Jack Smith, handling the prosecution, objected to Trump’s recusal request, indicating that Trump had misrepresented typical comments made by Chutkan in her court proceedings.
This recusal denial means Chutkan, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, will remain in charge of critical decisions in the ongoing case against Trump.