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

Justice Division Particular counsel Jack Smith appealed to the federal choose overseeing former President Trump’s election fraud case Friday night to situation a protecting order for proof, citing social media threats.

“IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” the previous president posted earlier on Reality Social — a transfer which has already drawn criticism with a former spokesperson for Trump calling it “chilling” and “witness intimidation.”

Smith argued that Trump’s case wants a strict order stopping Trump from mentioning particulars from discovery paperwork and proof in public.

“Such a restriction is especially vital on this case as a result of the defendant has beforehand issued public statements on social media relating to witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others related to authorized issues pending towards him,” Smith wrote within the submitting.

“If the defendant had been to start issuing public posts utilizing particulars — or, for instance, grand jury transcripts — obtained in discovery right here, it might have a dangerous chilling impact on witnesses or adversely have an effect on the honest administration of justice on this case,” he added.

Prosecutors claimed the makes an attempt to achieve an settlement on a protecting order with Trump’s authorized crew have been fruitless, and have prevented the prosecution from supplying paperwork to the protection as rapidly as they want.

“The federal government seeks to supply the defendant with discovery as quickly as doable, together with sure discovery to which the defendant will not be entitled at this stage of the proceedings,” Smith wrote.

The prosecution proposed two totally different protecting order drafts to Trump’s authorized crew, each of which they didn’t conform to, Smith claimed. Trump’s authorized crew additionally proposed their model, which the particular counsel referred to as insufficient.

In a media look Thursday, Trump lawyer John Lauro criticized Smith’s crew for pushing the case ahead too rapidly.

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“This can be a fast-moving railroad with none concern for justice,” he stated.

Trump was indicted on 4 federal costs Tuesday, alleging that he tried to orchestrate a faux electoral school vote scheme to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 election. He pleaded not responsible at his arraignment Thursday.

Smith additionally indicted Trump in a separate federal case over alleged mishandling of categorised paperwork in June.