Former President Donald Trump has responded to special counsel Jack Smith’s request for a gag order that would limit his public statements. The Justice Department, with Smith leading the case, has brought forth four federal indictments against Trump for allegedly falsifying business records, mishandling classified documents after leaving office and other charges related to challenging the results of the 2020 election.
Judge Tanya Chutkan is presiding over this case and is known for being especially tough on those involved in the Capitol incursion last year.
Smith is attempting to use Trump’s own words against him by asking Chutkan to put a gag order in place due to his “disparaging and inflammatory attacks on the citizens of this District, the Court, prosecutors, and prospective witnesses”.
According to a semi-redacted government filing released Friday from Smith’s office: “The defendant knows that when he publicly attacks individuals and institutions, he inspires others to perpetrate threats and harassment against his targets.”
As evidence of this claim, they pointed out a post from early August which read “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” The day before was when Trump had been arraigned.
Trump’s legal team defended this statement saying it was directed at RINO (Republicans In Name Only), China-loving dishonest Super PACs rather than public officials like Smith or anyone else involved in the case.
However, according to Smith this incident follows suit with what they call “his previous ‘disinformation campaign'” regarding the 2020 Presidential Election results.
This charge makes it seem as though every time Trump speaks out publicly he is trying to undermine confidence in an institution (the judicial system) or intimidate individuals such as those on jury duty or potential witnesses/prosecutors involved in this case.
The proposed gag order would establish rules that would restrict what sort of things both Donald Trump himself and his legal team are able to say about this ongoing court case against him moving forward.
In response to these allegations from Jack Smith’s office Donald issued a statement expressing outrage over Biden weaponizing DOJ & FBI officials against him because he remains one of the top contenders for 2024 Presidential Nominee by more than 50 points beating all Democratic nominees thus far.
He also expressed confusion as how there was no way he could explain why Jack Smith was deranged or Joe Biden incompetent without being allowed any chance for comment?
