Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump’s request to have a federal judge removed from his criminal election interference case was denied on Wednesday. The judge, Tanya Chutkan, refused to recuse herself despite Trump’s lawyers arguing that her statements during Capitol riot sentencing hearings demonstrated prejudice against Trump. In her ruling, Judge Chutkan stated that recusal was not warranted and that the court had never taken the position ascribed to it by the defense. Trump is facing a four-count indictment for conspiring to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

The case against Trump, being prosecuted by special counsel Jack Smith, is scheduled to begin trial in March. As one of the four pending criminal cases against him, it heavily relies on the events of the January 6th riot as evidence. On that day, Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol after weeks of Trump falsely claiming widespread ballot fraud benefiting Biden.

Trump’s lawyers specifically referenced Judge Chutkan’s remarks during the sentencing hearings of two individuals, Christine Priola and Robert Palmer, as grounds for her recusal. They argued that her statements implied Trump’s guilt and support for charges against him. However, Judge Chutkan defended her comments, stating that they only reflected the information and arguments presented by the defense in each case. She emphasized that she had never taken the position that Trump should be prosecuted and imprisoned.

Trump has criticized Judge Chutkan as a biased judge who hates him. She was appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama in 2014. Additionally, special counsel Jack Smith has requested a partial gag order on Trump to restrict his comments about prospective witnesses and court officials involved in the case. Trump’s lawyers have opposed this, claiming it infringes on his First Amendment rights and his pursuit of the 2024 GOP nomination.

In summary, former President Donald Trump’s plea to have Judge Tanya Chutkan removed from his criminal election interference case has been rejected. The judge defended her statements during Capitol riot sentencing hearings, stating that they merely reflected the information presented by the defense. The case against Trump, scheduled to begin trial in March, relies heavily on the events of the January 6th riot. Trump has criticized Judge Chutkan and opposed the imposition of a gag order, arguing that it impedes his constitutional rights.