Former President Donald Trump plans to ask for a recusal of Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over his case related to allegations of attempting to overturn the 2020 election. [Source]
Trump voiced his concerns on Truth Social, stating, “THERE IS NO WAY I CAN GET A FAIR TRIAL WITH THE JUDGE ‘ASSIGNED’ TO THE RIDICULOUS FREEDOM OF SPEECH/FAIR ELECTIONS CASE. EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS, AND SO DOES SHE! WE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY ASKING FOR THE RECUSAL OF THIS JUDGE ON VERY POWERFUL GROUNDS, AND LIKEWISE FOR A VENUE CHANGE, OUT IF D.C.”
The former president has been outspoken about his belief that he cannot receive a fair trial in Washington D.C., given its Democratic majority. He has suggested West Virginia as an alternate location for the trial. [Source]
D.C. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama-era appointee, is known for her firm hand, especially in cases related to the Jan. 6 rioters. [Source]
Chutkan has earned a reputation for meting out some of the harshest sentences to those involved. This was evident in the October 2021 sentencing of a Texas man who had pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for participating in the Capitol building storming.
While prosecutors recommended three months of home confinement and probation for Matt Mazzocco, Chutkan went beyond this, stating, “there have to be consequences” for those involved in an attempted violent overthrow of the U.S. government, “beyond sitting at home.”
Judge Chutkan sentenced Mazzocco to 45 days in jail plus 60 hours of community service.
This conflict between Trump and Judge Chutkan comes on the heels of a heated exchange over a protective order that prosecutors sought to prevent Trump from publicly sharing evidence related to the case. Chutkan, assigned to oversee the trial, rejected a request from Trump’s team for a deadline extension over the handling of evidence.
Trump has also taken aim at Special Counsel Jack Smith, questioning the timing of the indictment.
“DERANGED JACK SMITH AND OUR HIGHLY PARTISAN, AND VERY CORRUPT, DEPARTMENT OF INJUSTICE, COULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS BIDEN ‘OPPONENT’ CASE YEARS AGO, BUT CHOSE TO WAIT AND BRING IT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY ELECTION CAMPAIGN. NO WAY!!! I HOPE YOU ARE WATCHING AMERICA. OUR COUNTRY IS BEING DESTROYED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” said Trump on Truth Social.
The ex-president is facing four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, among others. All these charges relate to his alleged attempts to stay in power after his defeat to then-Democratic nominee Joe Biden. [Source]
During an arraignment on Thursday, he pleaded not guilty. Trump’s legal team is expected to build a defense based on the First Amendment, arguing that Trump never directed anyone to overturn the election, but rather made “aspirational” requests.
Despite the pending trial, Trump continues to be the leading GOP candidate for the 2024 Presidential election. His next hearing for the Jan 6. case is set for August 28, five days after the first GOP debate.