In the latest criminal trial against former President Donald Trump, regarding his alleged attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss, will go ahead with U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan presiding.
Chutkan has garnered attention for her unyielding approach to sentencing in matters concerning the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. An Associated Press review of court records reveals that of the 38 people she has sentenced for their involvement in the unrest, all received prison terms, with durations spanning from 10 days to over five years.
This distinguishes Chutkan from among the two dozen judges in Washington, D.C., who have collectively passed sentences on nearly 600 defendants in connection to the Capitol siege. Chutkan’s approach has often resulted in punishments harsher than those recommended by Justice Department prosecutors, reflecting her belief in prison as a potent deterrent against potential future insurrections.
Judge Chutkan, an Obama appointee, has a previous track record of ruling against Trump in relation to the Jan. 6 events. Notably, in November 2021, she refused Trump’s bid to withhold documents from the U.S. House’s Jan. 6 committee, asserting that executive privilege was not applicable in this case.
Chutkan underscored her view by stating that executive power does not endure indefinitely and that “presidents are not kings,” a stance reflecting her commitment to checks and balances within the American democratic system.
Former President Trump, accused of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, will appear for the first time in court on Thursday before Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya, who will handle the…
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