Activist Mahmoud Khalil wants ex-Justice Department official off panel of judges weighing his appeal - apnews.com

Activist Mahmoud Khalil is seeking the recusal of a former Justice Department official from the judicial panel reviewing his appeal, citing a potential conflict of interest. Khalil's challenge to the judge's participation suggests concerns that the official's prior role in the executive branch may bias their handling of his case. The recusal request is a procedural move that, if granted, would remove the judge from the panel and potentially alter the composition of jurists evaluating his appeal. Such challenges are common when litigants believe a judge has prior involvement with a case or institutional bias against them. The outcome will determine whether Khalil's appeal proceeds before the current panel or is reassigned.