Former President Donald Trump criticized special counsel Jack Smith and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Truth Social. Trump accused "Deranged Jack Smith" of taking away his first amendment rights while Smith and "his many Thug prosecutors are illegally leaking, everything and anything, to the Fake News Media!!!" Trump also demanded that Judge Chutkan recuse herself from the case. Chutkan was randomly assigned to oversee the case, which involves four counts related to conspiring to defraud the U.S. and obstructing President Joe Biden's election victory. Chutkan, known for imposing harsh penalties on Jan. 6 rioters, was appointed by President Obama and has served on the bench for almost a decade.