Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) denied Trump's false allegations of foul play by Democrat Joe Biden. Photo: AP
Ron DeSantis says Donald Trump «lost» the election, and for the first time dismissed the former president's allegations of election fraud in a major television interview.
Florida governor, trailing Trump in the polls by a wide margin , said the last election wasn't perfect, but he dismissed the leader's false allegations of foul play by Democrat Joe Biden.
“Of course he lost. Certainly. Joe Biden is president,» Mr. DeSantis told NBC after he spent two months avoiding mainstream broadcast media.
Mr. DeSantis and other leading Republican challengers are dancing around the issue in fear alienate his power base.
But the governor's aggressive new stance suggests he sees an opportunity to exploit Trump's growing legal troubles.
It happened when Trump, 77, demanded that the judge overseeing his interference in the election recuse himself, as she signaled she would arrange a speedy trial.
He said that his legal team will «immediately» try to replace Judge Tanya Chutkan «for very good reasons.»
Mr. Trump said his lawyers will also try to move the case out of Washington, arguing that he cannot get a fair trial in the US capital.
In court last week, he pleaded not guilty to four charges related to the riots at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 and other attempts to reverse the results of the 2020 election.< /p>
Ms. Chutkan, appointed by former President Barack Obama, was randomly appointed to oversee the case in federal court in Washington.< /p>
She handed down some of the harshest sentences for the January 6th rioters convicted of violating the Capitol.
She has also previously ruled against Trump, saying «Presidents are not kings.»
Trump said his lawyers will also try to get the case out of Washington. Photo: ED JONES/AFP
In an op-ed on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “There is no way I can get a fair trial with a judge ‘appointed’ to a ridiculous free speech and fair election case. Everyone knows it, and so does she.”
On Monday, he posted a post saying the judge “should be recalled.”
This happened when his lawyers were given a Deadline filed Monday night to respond to a request for a «protective order» in the case filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Mr. Smith's team filed the request after Mr. Trump appeared to threaten to retaliate against anyone who «comes after him.»
They argued that Mr. Trump could intimidate witnesses by publicly disclosing information they pass on to him, which could have a «harmful, deterrent effect.»
Ms. Chutkan denied a request by Trump's legal team to extend the response time.< /p>
She is expected to announce the date of Mr. Trump's election trial at the Aug. 28 hearing.
Quick Trial
Legal analysts said Ms. Chutkan, a seasoned former attorney, will heed the prosecution's demand for a speedy trial.
Norm Eisen, a seasoned Washington lawyer, previously told CNN: «Judge Chutkan knows how to move a case quickly. «. the case will go to court before the 2024 general election.»
John Lauro, Mr. Trump's lawyer, said he would seek a change in the venue of the trial after polling and analyzing «how people react to indictment.”
Washington is a city with an overwhelming Democratic vote. Trump received less than 5% of city council votes in 2020.
Mr. Trump proposed moving the lawsuit to West Virginia, a state in which he won by nearly 30 points in 2020.
< p >However, federal judges have repeatedly denied defendants' Jan. 6 motions to move their cases out of Washington.
It is unclear on what basis Mr. Trump would require Ms. Chutkan's replacement, which usually requires a clear conflict of interest.< /p>
Ms. Chutkan showed no signs that she intended to recuse herself.
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