The Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested that U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross recuse herself from a lawsuit involving Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. This request follows allegations of judicial misconduct related to Ross's attendance at a partisan event honoring Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who previously prosecuted former President Donald Trump for alleged interference in the 2020 election.
The 11th Judicial Circuit found that Ross's appearance at the event could create an appearance of bias in the case. The DOJ stated, "This reported misconduct necessitates Judge Ross’s recusal because, if Judge Ross is indeed the Subject Judge, it creates the appearance of bias." The DOJ's court filing was signed by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon.
The DOJ's request does not pertain to other allegations of misconduct against Ross, including reports of improper sexual activity in her chambers. Ross was nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama in 2014 and has served as a state judge and prosecutor prior to her current position. A hearing in the case against Raffensperger is scheduled for June 3, but it may be postponed if the recusal request is granted. Raffensperger has argued that state law restricts the release of certain voter information to the federal government.
