(DURHAM) -- A judge is removing Durham County District Attorney Tracey Cline. Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood issued the order on Friday.

Judge Hobgood issue the order based on comments by Cline about the county's senior judge Orlando Hudson. "The falsity of the statements and the reckless manner in which they were made without regard to their truth afford no constitutional free speech protection for Tracey Cline for the utterance," said Judge Hobgood.

In making his ruling, Judge Hobgood said Cline's actions undermined public confidence. She is only the second district attorney in state history to be removed from a top prosecutor post.