Donald Trump has called for the judge overseeing the election fraud case against him to step down after claiming “there is no way I can get a fair trial”.
Mr Trump, 77, revealed on social media platform Truth Social that his team will be asking for the recusal of judge Tanya Chutkan, an apointee of former president Barack Obama.
He wrote: “There is no way I can get a fair trial with the judge “assigned” to the ridiculous freedom of speech/fair elections case. Everybody knows this, and so does she!
“We will be immeditately asking for rescusal of this judge on very powerful grounds, and likewise,for venue change, out if (sic) D.C.”
Mr Trump faces charges including conspiracy to defraud the US and conspiracy to obstruct Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory. It’s the third criminal case brought this year against him.
He claims the case is “persecution of a political opponent” as he looks to be the front-runner to take on Mr Biden in the 2024 US Presidential election.
It follows a call by prosecutors for a Washington court to rein in what Mr Trump can publicly say about his trial for election fraud after he shared a threatening message online.
They flagged a social media post from Mr Trump, arguing it suggests he may intimidate witnesses by improperly disclosing confidential evidence.
On his Truth Social site, the former president wrote: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” a day after he pleaded not guilty to charges of orchestrating a criminal conspiracy to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss.
Special counsel Jack Smith - appointed to prosecute Mr Trump - said the post raised concerns that he might publicly reveal secret material, such as grand jury transcripts, obtained from prosecutors.
Prosecutors are required to provide defendants with the evidence against them so they can prepare their defence.
“It could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice,” prosecutors wrote, noting that Mr Trump had a history of attacking judges, attorneys and witnesses in other cases against him.
At his arraignment last Thursday, Mr Trump swore not to intimidate witnesses or communicate with them without legal counsel present.
