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This is an example of where Sundance often loses me:
"The same DC circuit now ordering Judge Sullivan to explain his decision-making, is the same DC circuit that previously recused and replaced Judge Contreras from the Flynn case." https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/05/23/judge-emmet-sullivan-hires-high-powered-dc-lawyer-to-represent-his-interests-in-flynn-case/
This is an example of where Sundance often loses me:
"The same DC circuit now ordering Judge Sullivan to explain his decision-making, is the same DC circuit that previously recused and replaced Judge Contreras from the Flynn case." https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/05/23/judge-emmet-sullivan-hires-high-powered-dc-lawyer-to-represent-his-interests-in-flynn-case/
There is nothing in the record of the case that suggests it was the DC Cir. that removed Contreras. In fact, its highly unlikely. Nothing would have motivated the DC Cir. to do anyting. "Recusal" is normally something the judge does to himself/herself, and PJ makes the change.
And when the Judge gives no reason -- and they almost never do -- its usually because of a conflict. Contreras and Strzok were apparently friends because their kids attended the same school and they socialized related to that.
At the time of Flynn's plea, which came in response to the filing of an information, the judge assigned would have no information about the case, other than the filed documents. Contrares would have had no reason to know of Strzok's involvement in the FLynn interview.
But there is always the chance that of something gets screwed up, the interview and Strzok's role could become an issue -- you know, sort of the way things happened. If Contreras had stayed on the case he would be in the conflicted position of having to evaluate Strzok's conduct.
And because Strzok is a friend, he could not do that. So all that was needed for Contreras to recuse himself was for Strzok to tell him "I did the interview that is the basis for Flynn's plea and I would be a witness if the case ever ended up being litigated or going to trial."
At that point Contreras has nothing invested in the case -- he doesn't know it any better than any other judge. The paperwork for the Change of Plea was likely filed the morning of the hearing. A Change of Plea hearing--especially with a new federal judge--runs off a script.
I've read the transcript. Start to finish it was maybe 15 minutes. Not a single thing happened in the hearing that doesn't happen a hundred times a week in federal courts all over the US. There is no reason to think anything "suspicious" is behind Contreras getting off the case.
