Judge recuses from Arizona fake electors case after urging colleagues to defend Kamala Harris from political criticism, but insists his comments were ‘not reflective of bias’

Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Arizona

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd after speaking at a campaign event at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin).

The judge overseeing the Arizona fake electors case recused himself late Tuesday night in response to a defense request over emails in which he urged his colleagues on the bench to defend Vice President Kamala Harris against political attacks.

As Law&Crime previously reported, defense attorneys recently asked Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen to disqualify himself after the media reported on a series of emails sent in August in which he expressed umbrage at race- and gender-based criticism of the since-failed Democratic Party presidential candidate.

A hearing was slated for Wednesday to address the motion to disqualify but has since been rendered moot.

“It is within Judge Cohen’s discretion to recuse himself,” a spokesperson for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office told Law&Crime in an email when asked to comment on the matter.

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