DOJ requests recusal of Georgia election case judge over misconduct scandal The Department of Justice is seeking the recusal of U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross from a lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. This request stems from the judge’s alleged attendance at an event honoring Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, which the DOJ argues creates an appearance of bias. The DOJ’s filing notes that the 11th Judicial Circuit determined Ross engaged in judicial misconduct by attending the partisan event promoting Willis’s campaign.

• DOJ requested U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross recuse herself from an election records lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
• The request is based on alleged judicial misconduct, specifically attending a partisan event honoring Fulton County DA Fani Willis.
• The 11th Judicial Circuit determined Ross engaged in judicial misconduct by attending the event promoting Willis’s campaign.
• The DOJ argues that a judge who attended a celebratory event for a prosecutor known for prosecuting a Republican President cannot preside over a case concerning that President’s election integrity efforts.
• Judge Ross was nominated by President Obama in 2014 and serves on the Atlanta-based federal court.
• The lawsuit involves Georgia’s voter rolls, with Raffensperger refusing to release certain information.
• The DOJ’s filing mentioned other instances of misconduct, including alleged improper sexual activity in chambers, but stated these were not the subject of the recusal motion.