A federal judge with a history of criticizing former President Donald Trump is presiding over a lawsuit filed by several states aiming to restrict the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing government data. Judge Tanya Chutkan, appointed by President Obama in 2013, gained prominence during the 2021 investigation into Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Now, she is tasked with determining whether Elon Musk's DOGE should be prevented from accessing government data and terminating federal employees.

Chutkan has a long record of opposing Trump's actions and policies. In 2021, she rejected Trump's claims of presidential immunity in the election interference case, a decision later reversed by the Supreme Court. She also imposed the harshest sentences on individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riots and openly condemned Trump's pardons and clemency grants to those convicted, stating that such actions could not erase the violence and damage caused. Chutkan also facilitated the release of approximately 1,800 pages of documents to the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack, despite Trump's objections, leading him to label her the "most evil person."

These actions have made her a target for Trump allies. In 2024, she was the subject of a "swatting" incident at her Washington D.C. home.

While her ultimate decision regarding DOGE's data access remains uncertain, Chutkan's history of opposition to Trump's agenda raises concerns among his supporters. During Trump's first term, she faced criticism from administration officials for decisions perceived as detrimental to their policies. For example, she temporarily blocked the U.S. from preventing abortions for undocumented teenage immigrants, a ruling later overturned. She also mandated the immediate implementation of an Obama-era special education equity rule, overruling requests from the Department of Education for more time.

Following Trump's mass pardon of individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot, Chutkan reportedly reassured Capitol Police that the "rule of law still applies," but expressed doubt about her ability to convincingly convey that message, according to a Politico report.