US District Judge Tanya Chutkan has denied the motion filed by former US President Donald Trump for her recusal from his pending criminal case on allegations of bias. Mr. Trump, who had requested the judge’s removal earlier this month, based his claim on comments she had made during the sentencing of two rioters from the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
Judge Chutkan has been overseeing the 2020 election interference case against Mr. Trump since August. Trump argued that Chutkan, by virtue of her previous statements linked to his case, could not serve as a fair and impartial judge as required by federal law.
The comments in question date back to two separate cases Chutkan oversaw, involving rioters Robert Scott Palmer and Christine Priola, who took part in storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021. During the sentencing hearings for Palmer and Priola, Chutkan reflected on their attempts to divert blame onto the former president for their actions, in a bid to receive lighter sentences.
In her decision, Judge Chutkan concurred with the government’s position, stating that the evidence provided did not demonstrate sufficient bias to trigger her recusal. She noted that her comments during Palmer and Priola’s hearings did not meet the legal threshold for recusal, and therefore, were merely part of the court’s consideration process.
With Trump’s request denied, Judge Chutkan remains assigned to the case. This case is only one of four criminal cases currently facing the former president. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the four charges in this particular case relating to 2020 election interference, which is set to go to trial on March 4, 2024.