DOJ seeks Judge Eleanor Ross recusal in Georgia election records case

The Justice Department asked U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross on Friday to recuse herself from a case over Georgia election records, arguing that reported past misconduct could create an appearance of bias. The department said media reports identified Ross as the federal judge disciplined for attending a 2024 victory party for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Willis prosecuted President Donald Trump over efforts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election result. The underlying lawsuit targets Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over his refusal to provide records sought in a federal review of compliance with election law. The filing said the department had not independently confirmed Ross was the disciplined judge.