Trump Lawyers Seek Recusal of Judge in Jan. 6 Case, Claiming Past Remarks Show Bias

Trump's attorneys filed a motion asking Judge Chutkan to recuse herself from his Jan. 6 case, claiming past statements show bias.
They said her comments on other Jan. 6 cases give the appearance she prejudged Trump's guilt.
Chutkan previously sentenced other Jan. 6 defendants harshly, which Trump's team argues warrants recusal.
Legal experts say recusal is unlikely as judges commonly make remarks based on cases before them.
Trump previously said on social media that Chutkan is the judge of prosecutors' "dreams" and must be recused.

washingtonpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/3/2023

Who is Tanya Chutkan, the judge assigned to Trump’s election case?

Main Topic: U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan's involvement in cases related to the January 6th Capitol attack and her upcoming role in former President Donald Trump's indictment. Key Points: 1. Chutkan has established a reputation for imposing tough penalties on rioters involved in the Capitol attack, handing down longer sentences than the government requested. 2. She has previously presided over legal fights involving Trump, including rejecting his request to stop the House Jan. 6 committee from obtaining White House documents. 3. Chutkan's background includes working as a trial attorney and supervisor on homicide, sex offenses, and domestic violence cases before being appointed to the U.S. District Court.

8/7/2023

Trump attacks special counsel Jack Smith and judge assigned to 2020 election case

Main Topic: Former President Donald Trump attacks special counsel and judge in 2020 election case. Key Points: 1. Trump accuses special counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan of trying to take away his First Amendment rights. 2. Trump calls for Chutkan's recusal from the case. 3. Prosecutors request a protective order to prevent Trump from publicly disclosing evidence.

8/7/2023

Trump lawyers seek to narrow special counsel's proposed protective order in election case

Main Topic: Donald Trump's lawyers request a narrowed protective order in the special counsel's 2020 election probe. Key Points: 1. Trump's lawyers argue that the proposed protective order is "overbroad" and request a revised order to shield only genuinely sensitive materials. 2. Prosecutors cite Trump's social media posts as a reason to prohibit him from publicly disclosing certain evidence. 3. Trump criticizes the special counsel and calls for the recusal of Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the case.

8/10/2023

Will a D.C. judge try to gag Donald Trump?

Main Topic: The potential limits on what Donald Trump and his lawyers can say to criticize the federal election fraud case against him, impugn prosecutors, or heap scorn on the judge. Key Points: 1. The local rules governing federal court in Washington, D.C., are stringent and prohibit lawyers from making public statements about witnesses, guilt or innocence, or the merits of the case. 2. The rules also allow a judge to issue a special order restricting what lawyers and the defendant can say in public in widely publicized or sensational criminal cases. 3. Imposing restrictions on Trump's speech presents a difficult dilemma for Judge Tanya Chutkan, as she must balance Trump's interest as a presidential candidate and the public's interest in hearing his perspective. The red line is likely to be statements that could be perceived as witness tampering or threats.

9/15/2023

Special Counsel Fights Trump Bid to Remove Judge in Election Probe

U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith opposes Donald Trump's request to remove the federal judge overseeing the criminal case against him for attempting to subvert the 2020 election results, stating there is "no valid basis" for her recusal.

9/15/2023

Justice Department Opposes Trump Bid to Remove Judge from Election Case

The Justice Department is challenging former President Donald Trump's efforts to disqualify the Washington judge presiding over the case charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, stating there is "no valid basis" for her recusal.

Topics

Posted 9/11/2023, 9:36:04 PM

Trump Lawyers Seek Recusal of Judge in Jan. 6 Case, Claiming Past Remarks Show Bias

Trump's attorneys filed a motion asking Judge Chutkan to recuse herself from his Jan. 6 case, claiming past statements show bias.
They said her comments on other Jan. 6 cases give the appearance she prejudged Trump's guilt.
Chutkan previously sentenced other Jan. 6 defendants harshly, which Trump's team argues warrants recusal.
Legal experts say recusal is unlikely as judges commonly make remarks based on cases before them.
Trump previously said on social media that Chutkan is the judge of prosecutors' "dreams" and must be recused.

washingtonpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/3/2023

Who is Tanya Chutkan, the judge assigned to Trump’s election case?

8/7/2023

Trump attacks special counsel Jack Smith and judge assigned to 2020 election case

8/7/2023

Trump lawyers seek to narrow special counsel's proposed protective order in election case

8/10/2023

Will a D.C. judge try to gag Donald Trump?

9/15/2023

Special Counsel Fights Trump Bid to Remove Judge in Election Probe

9/15/2023

Justice Department Opposes Trump Bid to Remove Judge from Election Case