Trump Attorney Seeks Supreme Court Recusal in Wisconsin Election Case
MADISON – Former President Donald Trump’s ex-campaign attorney, Jim Troupis, is seeking the recusal of two justices from the Wisconsin Supreme Court – Chief Justice Jill Karofsky and Justice Rebecca Dallet – from a case concerning his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state. The motion, filed on Friday, February 23, 2026, argues that prior comments made by the justices regarding a previous lawsuit filed by Trump disqualify them from overseeing the current case.
Background of the Case
Troupis, a former Dane County Judge, represented Trump’s 2020 campaign in Wisconsin. He is now arguing that Karofsky and Dallet’s public reactions to a 2020 lawsuit – in which Trump sought to invalidate thousands of ballots in the state’s most populous counties – demonstrate bias. The current case centers on allegations related to the effort to overturn the election, specifically involving the submission of alternate electors.
Jim Troupis’s Involvement
Jim Troupis has been a central figure in the legal challenges following the 2020 election. He was involved in the plan to produce fraudulent electoral votes intended to supplant legitimate electoral votes during the January 6 certification process . He, along with Kenneth Chesebro and Mike Roman, were charged with felonies for their role in the “fake electors” scheme by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul .
Recent Developments
The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Troupis from the state’s Judicial Conduct Advisory Committee on June 11, 2024, shortly after he was indicted . He had been a member of the committee until his indictment. Justice Rebecca Bradley did not participate in the decision to suspend Troupis .
Implications
The motion to recuse the justices could significantly impact the proceedings of the case. If granted, it would necessitate the involvement of alternate justices, potentially altering the court’s dynamic and the outcome of the legal challenges. The case remains ongoing and the Supreme Court will determine whether to grant Troupis’s request for recusal.