Arizona Judge Resigns After Controversial Remarks on Kamala Harris Case

Judge's hand holding gavel over documents.

Judge Bruce Cohen steps down from Arizona election case after controversial comments about Vice President Kamala Harris spark accusations of bias.

At a Glance

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen recused himself from an Arizona election case involving Trump allies
Cohen faced criticism for an email urging colleagues to defend Vice President Kamala Harris against racist and sexist remarks
The “fake electors” case involves 18 individuals accused of attempting to interfere with the 2020 election
Defense lawyers accused Cohen of “deep-seated personal political bias” and filed a motion for his recusal
The trial for the case is scheduled for January 2026

Judge’s Controversial Email Sparks Recusal

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen has voluntarily stepped down from a high-profile Arizona election case after his comments about Vice President Kamala Harris led to accusations of bias. The case in question involves state Senator Jake Hoffman and 17 others who are accused of forgery, fraud, and conspiracy for falsely portraying Trump as the 2020 election victor in Arizona.

The controversy arose when Cohen sent an email to his colleagues urging them to defend Harris against racist and sexist remarks. 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.

Really incredible commitment by prosecutors and judges at all levels of government to screw up these cases as much as humanly possible… https://t.co/8e1eVYwHs6

— Jeremy Schulman (@jeremyschulman) November 12, 2024

Defense Lawyers Claim Bias

Defense lawyers for Arizona state Sen. Jake Hoffman seized upon Cohen’s email as evidence of partiality. They filed a motion for his recusal, accusing the judge of “deep-seated personal political bias.” The motion argued that Cohen’s comments mirrored the partisan rhetoric at the heart of their case.

“While Judge Cohen is entitled to his political opinions and speech, his rhetoric and exhortation precisely mirrors the evidence of hostile partisan political zealotry at the heart of the motions to dismiss that have been languishing before the Court for months” – attorneys for Hoffman

Cohen, who was appointed by Gov. Janet Napolitano in 2005 and is set to retire in January 2025, defended his comments. He stated that they were not reflective of bias and would apply to any political sphere. However, acknowledging the concerns raised, Cohen ultimately decided to recuse himself from the case.

The “Fake Electors” Case

The case at the center of this controversy involves 18 individuals, including former Trump aides and lawyers, all of whom have pleaded not guilty. They are accused of attempting to interfere with the 2020 election by producing fraudulent documents claiming Trump won Arizona’s electoral votes.

“Given the statements the judge made, I think it’s appropriate that he recuse himself” – Arizona attorney Mark L. Williams

The 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. Two defendants have already resolved their charges: Jenna Ellis had her charges dropped after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors, while Loraine Pellegrino pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received probation.

Impact on the Proceedings

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 currently scheduled for January 2026, allowing ample time for a new judge to be assigned and familiarize themselves with the complex case.

“This development raises questions about the fairness and impartiality expected from judges, especially with the political stakes as high as they are.” – One legal analyst

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