The former Trump White House policy analyst, who is being sued by Hunter Biden for purportedly violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), is now seeking the recusal of the judge. The request is based on the argument that the judge's donation of “at least $1,600” to Joe Biden's 2020 campaign, among other factors, necessitates a new jurist to ensure impartiality.
Attorney Robert Tyler, representing Garrett Ziegler, argued on Thursday that if U.S. District Judge Hernan Vera, appointed by Joe Biden in 2023, rules in favor of Hunter Biden, there's a genuine risk that Ziegler's Marco Polo websites, which published the “Biden Laptop Report,” could face shutdown. Tyler highlighted potential implications for the Republicans' presidential impeachment inquiry in such a scenario.
The defense reiterated that if Judge Vera were to rule in favor of Hunter Biden, it could potentially impede the public, media, and Congress from accessing crucial evidence relevant to Biden's impeachment inquiry.
The defense further argued that Judge Vera's financial investment in Biden and his apparent affinity for his reelection could compromise his impartiality in the case.
Ziegler argued that Judge Vera holds the authority to influence the outcome of the impeachment inquiry significantly by potentially issuing a far-reaching ruling in favor of Hunter Biden. Ziegler emphasized that the stakes in this situation could not be higher.
The docket entry for Ziegler's recusal motion indicates that a hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on April 25th.
Read the court filing here.
