DOJ Says ‘No Valid Basis’ for Jan. 6 Judge to Remove Herself From Trump Case

Special counsel Jack Smith argued the judge’s harsh sentencing of Jan. 6 defendants was evidence towards lack of bias.

(Left:) Special counsel Jack Smith. (Center:) U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. (Right:) Former President Donald Trump. Drew Angerer/Getty Images; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts via AP; Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an opposing brief Sept. 14 in response to former President Donald Trump’s request that the judge presiding over his Washington case recuse herself.

“There is no valid basis, under the relevant law and facts, for the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan, United States District Judge for the District of Columbia, to disqualify herself in this proceeding,” wrote special counsel Jack Smith.