This judge is a member of the FISA court and likely issued a FISA warrant to electronically monitor the Trump campaign.
He likely wants to disassociate himself with this case before the FISA application and warrant are viewed by the Judiciary Committee. The swamp is big and it is deep.
His replacement (Sullivan) is a ball buster and has been instrumental in making sure FOIA requests are fulfilled.
http://www.fisc.uscourts.gov/current-membership
“This judge is a member of the FISA court and likely issued a FISA warrant to electronically monitor the Trump campaign.”
Maybe the judge now realizes that the FBI used the fake dossier to get the FISA warrant to monitor the Trump campaign.