As the legal battles surrounding the 2020 election continue to unfold, two liberal justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court have decided against recusing themselves from a case involving a former Trump campaign attorney. This decision keeps them involved in a high-profile legal matter tied to the controversial false elector scheme.
Jim Troupis, a former attorney for President Donald Trump, along with Kenneth Chesebro and Mike Roman, faces serious charges, including 11 counts of felony forgery. These charges stem from the creation of fraudulent documents falsely asserting Trump’s victory in the 2020 election. The documents were purportedly signed by 10 Wisconsin Republicans masquerading as presidential electors, as charged by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul in 2024. More details can be found here.
The case is being heard in Dane County Circuit Court. Troupis previously accused the presiding judge of professional misconduct, citing that a ruling had been ghostwritten by a retired judge. In February, Troupis filed motions for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to review this alleged judicial misconduct and requested that Justices Jill Karofsky and Rebecca Dallet step down from the case. The motion for recusal can be accessed here.
Understanding Wisconsin, Together.
WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.
Troupis has raised concerns about past comments made by Justices Karofsky and Dallet. During a 2020 hearing, when Troupis sought the court’s intervention to invalidate a large number of votes, both justices were vocal critics. Troupis argues that their comments reveal bias, noting that they accused him of filing a “racist” lawsuit in service to his “king.” More context on their previous remarks can be found here.
Despite Troupis’ claims, Justices Karofsky and Dallet, in identical orders, stated there is “no basis” in constitutional or state law that mandates their recusal. The liberal justices, supported by conservative swing Justice Brian Hagedorn, dismissed Troupis’ petition to investigate the misconduct allegations against the Dane County judge. Outgoing conservative Justices Annette Ziegler and Rebecca Bradley dissented. The official orders can be viewed here for Karofsky and here for Dallet.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2026, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
