'Daring the judge': Donald Trump attacks judge in 2020 election case, despite her warnings

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump launched a post-midnight attack Monday on the judge handling the case charging him with seeking to steal the 2020 election, despite a warning from the court late last week against "inflammatory statements."

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan "obviously wants me behind bars. VERY BIASED & UNFAIR!" Trump said in a Truth Social post just after 1 a.m.

Trump, who also protested an expected indictment in Atlanta in statements over the weekend, cited Chutkan's comments during the sentencing of a person convicted for participating in the insurrection attempt of Jan. 6, 2021.

Noting that the people who mobbed the Capitol that day wore caps and carried flags with the name of one man, Trump, Chutkan said in October 2022: "It's blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.
 

'Inflammatory statements'

Chutkan, who has been assigned the case that accuses Trump of conspiring to steal the 2020 election from President Joe Biden, issued a protective order Friday restricting what Trump can say publicly about the evidence against him.

The federal judge is known for imposing stiff sentences on the individuals who participated in the Capitol riot, but veteran federal court watchers told USA TODAY that she is a  consummate professional who will handle a sensitive case with the utmost care.

'Testing the judge'?

Trump's statements could lead to a speedier trial than the former president wants, the judge indicated.

"I intend to ensure the orderly administration of justice in this case as I would with any other case," Chutkan said during a hearing Friday. "The more a party makes inflammatory statements about this case which could taint the jury pool or intimidate potential witnesses, the greater the urgency will be that we proceed to trial to ensure a jury pool from which we can select an impartial jury."

Prosecutors have requested a trial date of Jan. 2; Trump and his attorneys said that would damage his 2024 presidential campaign. The Iowa caucuses are Jan. 15.

Legal analyst said it looks like Trump is testing Chutkan. "He is just daring the judge now," said national security attorney Bradley P. Moss.

Trump has said he might seek a recusal of Chutkan, but his attorneys have not filed anything formally.
 

Georgia investigation into Trump

During a weekend that included a visit to the Iowa State Fair, Trump also protested an investigation in Atlanta that appears headed toward a grand jury decision as soon as this week.

An Atlanta grand jury meets this week to discuss charges that Trump and his associates with conspiring to overturn his 2020 loss in Georgia to Biden.

In Truth Social posts, Trump attacked Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and said she "is using a potential Indictment of me." In a series of posts early Monday, Trump attacked Willis as well as one of this week's grand jury witnesses, former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.

There isn't evidence state or federal officials handling cases against Trump are targeting his reelection bid.

Contributing: Josh Meyer, USA TODAY