Amy Berman Jackson, 2010. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/The National Law Journal

Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell of the District of Columbia on Thursday released a public statement in defense of the federal trial judge overseeing Roger Stone's sentencing next week, a rare move after President Donald Trump criticized the judge.

"The Judges of this Court base their sentencing decisions on careful consideration of the actual record in the case before them; the applicable sentencing guidelines and statutory factors; the submissions of the parties, the Probation Office and victims; and their own judgment and experience," Howell said. "Public criticism or pressure is not a factor."

While the statement does not name her directly, it's a clear defense of U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the District of Columbia, who is presiding over Stone's case.

Trump had questioned in a tweet earlier this week whether Jackson, who has handled several Mueller-related cases, ordered ex-Trump campaign head Paul Manafort be placed in solitary confinement. She did not.

The president has repeatedly weighed in on Stone's sentencing, which is scheduled for next week. Earlier Thursday, he suggested the foreperson on the jury was biased, apparently citing a Fox News report.

Jackson on Wednesday rejected Stone's request for a new trial, which had been made under seal. In the lightly redacted document, she said Stone had cited a juror being an attorney with the Internal Revenue Service and being shown an article about Stone's case while on their way to court as reasons for a redo. Those claims, Jackson ruled, were not sufficient grounds for a new trial.

Stone's sentencing is under intense public scrutiny after Main Justice on Tuesday stepped in to walk back line prosecutors' initial recommendation that the longtime Trump ally be sentenced to up to nine years in prison. The new sentencing memo states that Stone should face prison time, but the length of the sentence be left to Jackson.

All four line prosecutors withdrew from the case in protest. One, Jonathan Kravis, resigned from DOJ entirely.

Stone's attorneys are requesting their client be sentenced to probation.