A federal judge in Washington has decided against stepping aside in the criminal case involving a man charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, stating that the defense’s request lacked substance.

Ryan Wesley Routh’s legal team had called for U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to disqualify herself, arguing that her previous involvement in Trump’s classified documents case could create the impression of bias towards the former president, who is also the current Republican presidential candidate. They pointed out her appointment by Trump and the accolades she has received from him for her rulings, including a noteworthy dismissal of charges in July that is now under appeal by special counsel Jack Smith.

In her written response, Judge Cannon expressed that she cannot control the perspectives of private individuals, media, or public figures regarding her judicial decisions. She emphasized that her concern lies not with the political aftermath of her rulings.

Cannon stated, “I have never spoken to or met former President Trump except in connection with his required presence at an official judicial proceeding, through counsel. I have no ‘relationship to the alleged victim’ in any reasonable sense of the phrase.” She affirmed her commitment to uphold justice impartially, adhering to the laws and the Constitution.

The judge further contested the defense’s argument that her recusal would alleviate any public skepticism about the assignment of the assassination case. “This case, like previous cases involving former President Trump, were randomly assigned to me through the Clerk’s random case assignment system. Period,” she wrote, asserting that she would not be swayed by misleading or speculative notions otherwise.

According to authorities, Routh had observed Trump for 12 hours at his Florida golf course last September and had expressed a desire to kill him. He faces charges relating to the attempted assassination. The planned shooting was disrupted when a Secret Service agent noticed an obscured figure with a rifle sticking out from behind the golf course fence, where Trump was playing. The agent fired at Routh, who then fled and was later apprehended by law enforcement in a nearby area.