Trump: "I Won't Get a Fair Trial... Will Change Judge and Venue"

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was additionally indicted on charges including attempting to overturn the presidential election results, has decided to file a motion to disqualify the judge handling the case and seek a change of venue.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 6th (local time), Trump posted on Truth Social, stating, "There is absolutely no way I can receive a fair trial from the judge assigned to this ridiculous case." He added, "Everyone knows this, including the judge himself. We will immediately proceed with a motion to disqualify the judge and also request a change of venue outside Washington, DC."

Earlier, a U.S. federal grand jury indicted Trump on four charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud, defrauding the nation, and spreading election fraud, alleging that after losing the 2020 presidential election, he falsely incited his supporters to storm the Capitol on January 6. This is the third indictment following the New York prosecutors' case related to hush money over sexual misconduct and the federal indictment concerning classified document leaks. Trump appeared at the Washington, DC federal district court on the 4th and once again pleaded not guilty during the arraignment.

Particularly, attention is being drawn locally to the strained relationship(?) between the judge presiding over this trial and former President Trump. This is also the reason Trump announced his intention to file a motion to disqualify the judge. The judge in charge of the case, Tania Chutkan of the Washington, DC federal district court, has a history of harshly punishing participants in the January 6 Capitol riot since January 2021. It has been confirmed that she often handed down sentences heavier than those requested by Department of Justice prosecutors in cases related to the Capitol riot. In a December 2021 ruling, she stated, "Every day we receive reports that anti-democracy forces and individuals may plot violence in the 2024 (presidential) election," and emphasized, "It must be made clear that anyone attempting to obstruct a peaceful transfer of power and attacking judicial authorities will undoubtedly be punished." Additionally, Judge Chutkan dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block the release of White House documents related to the January 6 Capitol riot filed by former President Trump.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The previous two indictments instead acted as a boon for Trump, consolidating conservative votes. Accordingly, there is interest in whether this indictment will also lead to a rallying effect among his supporters. In a recently released poll, Trump’s approval rating as a Republican presidential candidate overwhelmingly surpasses competitors such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

However, critical messages toward former President Trump continue within the Republican Party. Former Vice President Mike Pence appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation that day and, when asked if he would testify against Trump, replied, "I have no plans to testify," but added, "However, we must follow the law, and when that time comes, we must tell the truth." Pence, who presided over the vote to certify the election results during the Capitol riot, is considered a key witness in this trial. He pointed out regarding Trump’s claims of election fraud, "He was wrong then and he is wrong now." Bill Barr, who served as Attorney General during Trump’s presidency, confirmed in an interview that he is willing to testify against Trump.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.