Judge Exits Arizona Election Case Following Kamala Harris Comment Controversy

Judge Bruce Cohen steps down from Arizona election case after controversial comments about Vice President Kamala Harris, raising questions about judicial impartiality.

At a Glance

Judge Bruce Cohen recused himself from an Arizona election case involving Trump allies
Cohen faced criticism for an email urging colleagues to defend VP Kamala Harris
The case involves 18 individuals accused of interfering with the 2020 election
Defense lawyers accused Cohen of “deep-seated personal political bias”
The trial is scheduled for January 2026

Judge’s Controversial Email Sparks Recusal

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen has stepped down from overseeing a high-profile Arizona election case following backlash over his comments about Vice President Kamala Harris. The case involves state Senator Jake Hoffman and others facing forgery and fraud charges for allegedly falsely claiming Trump won the 2020 presidential election in Arizona.

Cohen’s email, which encouraged judges to defend Harris against derogatory remarks, drew criticism suggesting potential bias. In the email, Cohen expressed regret for not speaking out when Harris was called a “DEI hire” and criticized Trump for reposting vulgar jokes about her.

NEW: The Arizona judge presiding over the criminal case of Trump’s allies is facing a call to step aside after a revelation that he urged his white male colleagues to defend Kamala Harris from attacks on he race/gender.

w/ @woodruffbets https://t.co/1NkU2XajFz pic.twitter.com/AhsIKIEOG0

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 12, 2024

Defense Lawyers Accuse Cohen of Bias

Defense lawyers for Arizona state Sen. Jake Hoffman accused Cohen of “deep-seated personal political bias” and filed a motion for his recusal. The case, often referred to as the “fake electors” case, involves defendants accused of attempting to interfere with the 2020 election by producing fraudulent documents claiming Trump won Arizona’s electoral votes.

The case involves 18 individuals, including former Trump aides and lawyers, with all pleading not guilty. Defendants include 11 Arizona Republicans and seven Trump associates, such as Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows. Former President Trump is labeled as “unindicted co-conspirator 1” in the case.

Cohen Defends His Comments

Cohen defended his comments, stating they were not reflective of bias and would apply to any political sphere. He emphasized his objective to stand up for decency in public discourse, understanding this could be misunderstood as taking sides in the ongoing legal matter.

Cohen, who was appointed by Gov. Janet Napolitano in 2005 and is set to retire in January 2025, linked the importance of speaking up for the less empowered to lessons from the Holocaust. However, aware of the implications of his words, Cohen apologized for any perception of bias and ultimately decided to recuse himself from the case.

Impact on the Case and Broader Implications

The transition to a new judge is expected to impact the proceedings, with emphasis on finding an unbiased replacement. The trial for the case is scheduled for January 2026, allowing ample time for the legal teams to adjust to the new judicial oversight.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated the case is about justice, not politics, and criticized defense counsel’s rhetoric. Mayes committed to pursuing the case regardless of Trump’s 2024 election, underscoring the broader national concerns about election integrity and political narratives that this case highlights.

As the legal proceedings continue, the recusal of Judge Cohen serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between personal convictions and judicial impartiality, especially in cases with significant political implications.