Trump files motion to recuse DC judge presiding over 2020 election interference case
On Wednesday, May 12th, 2021, President Donald Trump filed a motion to recuse the judge presiding over a case regarding the 2020 election interference dispute. The motion was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The motion argued that the judge, Emmet Sullivan, did not have the authority to decide that the claims in the case had merit and should proceed to trial. It also claimed that the judge had displayed “bias and partiality towards the former president” in past matters. The motion asked that a different judge be appointed to preside over the case.
The motion was in response to a ruling from Judge Sullivan, who denied a request from Trump’s lawyers to dismiss the case. Judge Sullivan had earlier decided to allow certain legal claims to proceed in the case, which was filed by a group of Republicans who allege that the Smartmatic software used to tabulate votes in the 2020 election was deliberately programmed to alter votes.
The motion argued that Judge Sullivan had displayed bias towards President Trump in past cases, citing his decision to appoint a retired judge to review the Department of Justice’s actions related to the former president’s first impeachment trial. Judge Sullivan had also previously denied a motion by Trump’s lawyers to dismiss another case related to the former president’s involvement in the Stormy Daniels scandal.
It remains to be seen whether the motion will be granted and if a new judge will take over the case. If Judge Sullivan is ultimately recused from the election interference case, it could significantly delay the proceedings.