Former President Donald Trump has targeted the federal judge overseeing his case, where he is charged with attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results
Trump’s lawyer argues that the actions Trump took after his election loss were mere “asks” rather than directives.
In response, Trump expressed doubt about receiving a fair trial under U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan and indicated his intention to seek her recusal and a change of venue outside of Washington.
“THERE IS NO WAY I CAN GET A FAIR TRIAL WITH THE JUDGE ‘ASSIGNED,'” Trump said in a social media post.
As of now, no formal request has been filed with the court, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has not provided an immediate comment.
Trump, a leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, was indicted for the third time last week.
He pleaded not guilty to federal charges of conspiring to defraud the U.S. by obstructing the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory, allegedly denying American voters a fair election.
A deadline of 5 p.m. (2100 GMT) on Monday has been set for Trump to respond to the U.S. government’s proposed protective order, designed to safeguard witnesses and evidence in the case. Judge Chutkan denied Trump’s request for a delay.
In television interviews on Sunday, Trump’s lawyer, John Lauro, defended Trump’s actions after the 2020 election as petitions rather than directives, and criticised the proposed protective order.
Lauro stated that everything Trump is being prosecuted for involves “aspirational asks,” including requests to state legislatures, governors, and electoral officials to take certain actions.
Lauro also noted that even Trump’s appeal to Vice President Mike Pence was protected by free speech.
In response, Pence, who is also eyeing the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, asserted on CNN that Trump was wrong then and remains wrong now.
Pence, who faced threats from Trump’s supporters during the certification of Biden’s victory on January 6, 2021, could potentially serve as a witness in the case.
Meanwhile, Special Counsel Jack Smith has requested a protective order to prevent Trump and his legal team from sharing discovery materials with unauthorised individuals.
This request was made in response to a Trump social media post that raised concerns.
Representative Pete Aguilar, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, characterised the situation as an attempt to throw various arguments at the wall to gauge their effectiveness.
Lauro declined to support the protective order sought by the Department of Justice, expressing concern that it would restrict relevant information from the public and the media as the case progresses.
He emphasised that they would not agree to withhold non-sensitive information from the press.
