Tanya Chutkan: Obama-appointed judge with potential to imprison Donald Trump

Judge overseeing Trump's Jan 6 indictment known for tough sentences on Capitol rioters, appointed by Obama.

US District Judge Tanya S Chutkan, who was appointed by Barack Obama, has been assigned to oversee the indictment of Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. Known for her tough sentences on Capitol rioters, Judge Chutkan previously denied Trump's attempt to withhold documents from the House committee investigating the attack, emphasizing that "presidents are not kings."

Judge Chutkan's legal career spans from being a former assistant public defender to a partner at a prestigious law firm. She was nominated by Obama in December 2013 and officially appointed in 2014.

In a recent audit, it was discovered that Judge Chutkan consistently issued the harshest sentences among all judges serving on Washington's federal trial court when it came to Jan 6 offenders. In fact, she often handed down tougher sentences than what the prosecutors had sought, even for minor offenses. While some of her colleagues indirectly criticized her hardline approach, Judge Chutkan remained steadfast in her commitment to upholding justice.

During the sentencing of a Florida man who attacked police officers, Judge Chutkan expressed her concerns about anti-democratic factions plotting violence in the future. She emphasized the need to send a clear message that attempting to violently overthrow the government, disrupting the peaceful transition of power, and assaulting law enforcement officers would be met with severe consequences.

This is not the first time Judge Chutkan has ruled against Donald Trump in a Jan 6 case. In November 2021, she denied his request to block the release of documents to the House's Jan 6 committee, asserting that executive privilege did not apply. She firmly stated that "presidents are not kings" and made it clear that Trump, as a former president, did not have the authority to withhold documents from his administration.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Judge Chutkan developed a passion for dance before pursuing economics at George Washington University and attending the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Throughout her career, she has faced criticism and comments about her race, but she has developed a "thick skin" to overcome these challenges. She understands that her qualifications will always be subject to scrutiny and believes in the importance of resilience.

Judge Chutkan has also experienced the difficulties of balancing parenthood with her role as a public defender. She once had to rush home from court during a murder trial to feed her nine-month-old son before meeting clients in jail. This personal experience has given her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by working parents in the legal profession.

As she takes on the responsibility of overseeing Donald Trump's indictment, Judge Chutkan will undoubtedly face intense scrutiny. However, her track record of upholding justice and her commitment to the rule of law make her a highly qualified and capable judge for this high-profile case.