Trump demands recusal of DC judge in Jan 6 ‘conspiracy’ case, change of venue

"There is no way I can get a fair trial with the judge 'assigned' to the ridiculous freedom of speech/fair elections case," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday evening.

"Everybody knows this, and so does she," he added. "We will be immediately asking for recusal of this judge on very powerful grounds, and likewise for venue change, out [of] DC."

Trump on Wednesday expressed his hope that the trial would be moved to an impartial venue, "such as the politically unbiased nearby state of West Virginia."

He wrote that it would be "impossible" to get a fair trial in DC, "which is over 95% anti-Trump, and for which I have called for a federal takeover in order to bring our Capital back to greatness."

Chutkan was appointed to the US District Court by President Obama in 2014. It was revealed that she donated around $4,300 to his campaign and victory fund between 2008 and 2012.

Chutkan has also given harsher sentences to January 6 defendants than requested by the Biden Department of Justice. In 38 cases that she has given sentences, 19 of which she either matched or went beyond the requested sentence of the DOJ. In four cases which contained zero requests for confinement, Chutkan gave jail time.

West Virginia’s Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has suggested that the trial should be moved to his state, saying "Donald Trump is not going to get a fair shake in DC, the home of the Swamp."

"If prosecutors insist on proceeding with this politicized case, they should move the venue to West Virginia. West Virginians believe in upholding the rule of law and don’t support a double-standard of justice."

Trump was indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the government, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights, and has pleaded not guilty. The trial is set to begin later this month.