Former US President Donald Trump has said he will not get a fair trial in Washington DC with the judge assigned in the alleged election fraud case.
Trump, the forerunner for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination, hinted his plan to seek U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan's recusal and change of venue through a social media post that read: "No way I can get a fair trial, or even close to a fair trial, in Washington, D.C. There are many reasons for this, but just one is that I am calling for a federal takeover of this filthy and crime ridden embarrassment to our nation."
Trump, however, gave no details of his grounds for asking her to step down.
The judge, Tanya Chutkan, was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2014. She had previously ruled against Trump's efforts to hide evidence from the House January 6 Committee. She had also handed over sentences against accused the Capitol riot that were longer than the sentences sought by the prosecutors.
However, no formal request was filed with the court by Trump lawyers as of midday on Sunday.
The prosecutors had earlier said they feared Trump might disclose confidential evidence and sought a protective order to prevent "the improper dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public".
Judge Chutkan gave Trump's legal team time until Monday evening to respond to the submission.
Meanwhile, Trump's attorney has said that any actions the former President took after his 2020 re-election loss were "aspirational asks." Hitting out at proposed order aimed at protecting witnesses and evidence, John Lauro told Fox News that every single thing that President Trump is being prosecuted for involved aspirational asks - Asking state legislatures, asking state governors, asking state electoral officials to do the right thing. "In fact, even asking Vice President Pence was protected by free speech," Lauro told Fox News.
Lauro also cast doubt on the idea that Trump could receive a fair trial in Washington, instead suggesting West Virginia as a more diverse alternative. "We would like a diverse venue. A diverse jury … that reflects the characteristics of the American people," Lauro said. He also sought cameras in the courtroom in order to show the public "what kind of prosecution is going on."
