Former President Donald Trump has requested Judge Tanya Chutkan recuse herself from the 2020 election interference case brought against him by special counsel Jack Smith.
Trump’s request stems from comments Chutkan reportedly made about the former President prior to the case levied against him by Jack Smith.
“Judge Chutkan has, in connection with other cases, suggested that President Trump should be prosecuted and imprisoned. Such statements, made before this case began and without due process, are inherently disqualifying,” Trump’s attorneys stated.
Trump’s attorneys argue that allowing Chutkan to preside over the case would “create a perception of prejudgment incompatible with our justice system.”
“In a highly charged political season, naturally all Americans, and in fact, the entire world, are observing these proceedings closely,” Trump argues.
“Only if this trial is administered by a judge who appears entirely impartial could the public ever accept the outcome as justice.”
Prior to the forthcoming legal proceedings involving the former President, Judge Tanya Chutkan has overseen several cases involving defendants who were charged with crimes related to storming the U.S. Capitol. In these cases, she been outspoken regarding the events of January 6, 2021.
“This was nothing less than an attempt to violently overthrow the government, the legally, lawfully, peacefully elected government, by individuals who were mad that their guy lost,” Chutkan said in October 2022.
“It’s blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.”
The attempt to have Chutkan removed from the case has been described as an “uphill battle” as the motion was filed with Chutkan herself.
