Special Counsel Requests Gag Order on Trump in Election Meddling Case
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the federal election meddling case against former US President Donald Trump, has requested a gag order from District Judge Tanya Chutkan. The order would limit what Trump can publicly comment on regarding the case. The request was revealed as part of a release of older court documents on Friday.
Prosecutors argue that the proposed order is necessary to prevent disinformation, threats, and prejudicing the case. If approved, it would prohibit Trump from making statements about prospective witnesses and from making disparaging and inflammatory comments about any party involved in the case.
In their filing, prosecutors stated that Trump’s attempts to undermine confidence in the criminal justice system and prejudice the jury pool through disparaging attacks on citizens, the court, prosecutors, and prospective witnesses are similar to his actions during the election. District Judge Chutkan, an Obama appointee, has yet to make a decision on the request.
In response to the motion, Trump criticized Special Counsel Jack Smith, referring to him as deranged. He argued that the motion seeks to take away his right to speak freely and openly. Trump made these remarks during a dinner for the Concerned Women for America group in Washington, D.C., where he addressed around 300 socially conservative evangelical Christian women.
Trump currently faces multiple legal challenges and has been criminally indicted four times, including in this federal investigation into efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election.
As the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Trump’s legal troubles continue to mount. The outcome of the gag order request will have significant implications regarding his ability to publicly comment on the ongoing election meddling case.
