United States: The US District Judge, Ms. Tanya Chutkan, has reinstated former US President Mr. Donald Trump’s limited gag order in the 2020 election interference case, barring him from attacking prosecutors, court staff, and potential trial witnesses.
The judge issued the gag order earlier this month and then temporarily lifted it for his attorneys to present their argument against it.
However, the prosecutors requested the judge to reimpose that order, arguing Mr. Trump had taken advantage and posted a slew of inflammatory statements.
The statements contain Mr. Trump’s repeated attacks on the special counsel, Mr. Jack Smith, and the former President’s comments about the testimony that his former White House chief of staff, Mr. Mark Meadows, had provided to the grand jury during the criminal investigation.
“The defendant has capitalised on the court’s administrative stay to, among other prejudicial conduct, send an unmistakable and threatening message to a foreseeable witness in this case. Unless the court lifts the administrative stay, the defendant will not stop,” prosecutors remarked.
The gag order restricts Trump from speaking publicly about Department of Justice Special Counsel Mr. Jack Smith, any potential witness in the case, the court, and its staffers, as per the statement.
Mr. Trump has commented on Truth Social, a social media platform created by Trump Media & Technology Group, regarding the order.
“The Corrupt Biden Administration just took away my First Amendment Right To Free Speech,” Mr. Trump quoted.
According to the report, the lawyers of the former US President will ask the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to issue a stay order.
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