Tanya Chutkan returns to court, with Trump case on her mind

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan appeared upbeat in court on Wednesday even as she reckoned with the weight of her latest assignment: criminal proceedings against Donald Trump.

During an appearance in an unrelated criminal matter, Chutkan briefly chatted with public defender Eugene Ohm, implicitly referencing the case that is likely to change her life, and the nation.

“How are you?” Ohm asked Chutkan, who was randomly assigned on Tuesday to preside over special counsel Jack Smith’s new case against the former president.

“Good … I think,” she said after a pregnant pause.

“Did you get a good night sleep?” Ohm wondered.

“No,” Chutkan replied with a chuckle.

Ohm, turning serious, encouraged her to “be safe,” to which Chutkan responded, “I’m trying.”

The brief criminal proceeding in Washington, D.C.'s federal courthouse revolved around the case of Antone Watkins, who was indicted in March for unlawful possession of a firearm. Chutkan, a former public defender, encouraged Watkins to be an active participant in his defense and ask questions of his lawyer.

“This is your life,” she admonished him, urging him to be mindful that he faces significant exposure in a separate case in D.C. Superior Court.

As the routine proceeding wound down, Chutkan worked with the attorneys to set another date to reconvene. When they discussed the possibility of a late August conference, Chutkan noted she had hoped to be out of town that week.

“Which,” she said with a smile, “increasingly seems like a good idea.”