Anonymous ID: 157932 Aug. 4, 2023, 8:22 p.m. No.19301088   ๐Ÿ—„๏ธ.is ๐Ÿ”—kun   >>1176 >>1314 >>1512 >>1767

DOJ prosecutors request gag order after Trump arraignment, citing social media threats

by Nick Robertson - 08/04/23 10:53 PM ET

Justice Department Special counsel Jack Smith appealed to the federal judge overseeing former President Trumpโ€™s election fraud case Friday evening to issue a protective order for evidence, citing social media threats.

โ€œIF YOU GO AFTER ME, Iโ€™M COMING AFTER YOU!โ€ the former president posted earlier on Truth Social โ€” a move which has already drawn criticism with a former spokesperson for Trump calling it โ€œchillingโ€ and โ€œwitness intimidation.โ€

Smith argued that Trumpโ€™s case needs a strict order preventing Trump from mentioning details from discovery documents and evidence in public.

โ€œSuch a restriction is particularly important in this case because the defendant has previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him,โ€ Smith wrote in the filing.

โ€œIf the defendant were to begin issuing public posts using details โ€” or, for example, grand jury transcripts โ€” obtained in discovery here, it could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case,โ€ he added.

Prosecutors claimed the attempts to reach an agreement on a protective order with Trumpโ€™s legal team have been fruitless, and have prevented the prosecution from supplying documents to the defense as quickly as they would like.

โ€œThe government seeks to provide the defendant with discovery as soon as possible, including certain discovery to which the defendant is not entitled at this stage of the proceedings,โ€ Smith wrote.

 

moar at:https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4138737-doj-prosecutors-request-gag-order-in-trump-election-case/