Sept. 15 (UPI) – Prosecutors countered a request by former President Donald Trump to get the judge presiding over his upcoming federal election interference trial to recuse herself, saying there were no grounds for her to step aside.

Special counsel Jack Smith’s office filed a 20-page motion with the court, saying Trump had failed to prove any bias by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan following two previous rulings on Jan. 6 riot cases in which she referred to the former president.

Chutkan, who was appointed in 2014 by President Barack Obama, made the commentary in 2021 and 2022 as she sentenced two defendants who took part in the violent mob that stormed Congress to disrupt certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.

Trump’s lawyers filed the motion on Monday to get Chutkan removed, citing her open repudiation of the mob as alleged evidence of bias and unfitness to preside over the criminal case.