2026BootsJeans-1.jpg Marsha Blackburn

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, speaks at State Sen. Jack Johnson's Boots and Jeans, BBQ and Beans fundraiser at the Factory at Franklin, Aug. 2, 2026.

All federal judge in Nashville have recused themselves from a case Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has brought forth against U.S. Department of Justice former special counsel Jack Smith.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee issued an order Oct. 5 announcing none of the area’s district judges will hear the case, meaning a judge from an outside district will be assigned to do so by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Those recusing themselves include Chief U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell Jr., Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr., Eli J. Richardson and Aleta A. Trauger.