Judge Chutkan’s Refusal
- Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, an Obama-appointed judge who many have criticized for being political, decided not to step down from ex-President Donald Trump’s January 6 case.
- Despite the motion filed by Trump’s lawyers, she stays firm on overseeing the federal case concerning his alleged involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
DC Judge Tanya Chutkan refuses to recuse –
Admits she has opinions about those uncharged with January 6 offenses.
Denies that includes Trump.
Defies belief, really. pic.twitter.com/l1KSWcxEol
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) September 28, 2023
Trump Lawyers’ Arguments
- The defense accuses Judge Chutkan of bias based on statements made during sentencing hearings for January 6 defendants, where she claimed the protest was “an attempt to violently overthrow the government.”
- Trump’s legal team perceives her comments as prejudgments of guilt, which, they argue, should automatically disqualify her from the case.
Chutkan’s Response
- Chutkan issues a 20-page opinion, countering the defense’s arguments and clarifying she has not directly blamed Trump for the riot.
- She emphasizes her obligation to address and assess defendants’ arguments publicly and asserts that her statements have been misunderstood and taken out of context.
