The judge overseeing the criminal case against former Trump national security adviser John Bolton is Theodore Chuan, an appointee from the Obama era. He made headlines for blocking several executive orders from Trump’s administrations, marking him as a notable figure amid many judges perceived as unfavorable by Trump supporters. In fact, Chuan’s rulings, along with others, have triggered numerous temporary injunctions against the Trump administration during its second term.
Chuan is particularly known for issuing a nationwide injunction in 2017 against Trump’s revised travel ban, which sought to suspend travel from six predominantly Muslim countries for 90 days and halt asylum entries for 120 days. The judge argued that the order likely stemmed from anti-Muslim motives, describing it as a continuation of a previously stated “Muslim ban” that Trump had referenced during his campaign.
In early 2017, after Trump assumed the presidency, Chuan again opposed the administration by blocking moves to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). His detailed ruling stressed that such actions might contravene the Constitution, although the Fourth Circuit later reversed his decision, allowing the administration to proceed with its plans.
Chuan has also dealt with other impactful cases, like one that temporarily halted in-person requests for emergency contraceptives during the COVID-19 pandemic. This particular ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
Reports indicate that since January, Trump’s directives have led to about 220 lawsuits, with many of them being temporarily halted by federal judges, including Chuan. Critics of this trend point to Congressional inaction as a contributing factor to the surge of executive actions by recent presidents, prompting more judicial scrutiny.
Chuan’s decisions have drawn criticism from some Republican lawmakers and allies of Trump, especially as these legal challenges often conflict with the former president’s policies. Recently, Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) introduced a resolution aiming to impeach Chuan and other judges who have disputed the administration’s decisions, although this effort faced stern criticism from legal groups.
Bolton was arraigned in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, where he pleaded not guilty to 18 charges. His indictment positions him as the third significant Trump opponent to face federal charges recently, alongside former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. However, Bolton’s situation appears distinct, as his case centers on allegations tied to his handling of classified materials, which arose partly during the Biden administration, with career prosecutors pursuing the charges.
A magistrate judge released Bolton on the condition that he stays within the U.S. and surrenders his passport. His next court appearance is set for November 21st.
