Judge gags Donald Trump after threats

The federal judge in the criminal case against former US President Donald Trump, which was brought against, among other things, attempts to influence the outcome of the 2020 election, imposed a strict duty of confidentiality on the defendant. Judge Tanya Chutkan on Monday barred Trump from making statements about prosecutors, potential witnesses and her aides. On the other hand, Trump is allowed to continue to voice his public criticism of the Justice Department and also say that he considers the operation politically motivated.

a team Special Agent Jack Smith He had requested a silence order. She accused Trump of discrediting prosecutors, judges and potential witnesses. Prosecutor Molly Gaston said Trump knew his online statements “incentivized people to threaten others.” This may confuse potential jurors and deter witnesses. There is also a risk that Trump will undermine public confidence in the justice system. However, as a defendant, he must be subject to the same procedural rules as anyone else.

Trump’s lawyers called the proposal unconstitutional because it restricts the right to freedom of expression. Trump’s lawyer, John Lauro, said the Attorney General’s Office is trying to censor Trump in the middle of the election campaign. Chutkan responded that it was not about censorship, but about a fair trial. “We are talking about restrictions to ensure fair justice in this case,” she said. Trump’s freedom of speech does not extend to language that “harasses and threatens people simply doing their jobs.”

Trump said: “If you persecute me, I will persecute you!” Written on the Internet. Additionally, following Smith’s statements, Trump called Chutkan a “fraud” and Smith’s staff a “team of gangsters.” The American capital, Washington, denounced Trump, describing him as “dirty and full of crime,” and its population was “more than 95 percent anti-Trump.”

Charged with conspiracy

Special Counsel Smith charged Trump with four counts of attempting to influence the outcome of the 2020 election: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory on January 6, 2021, and election obstruction and conspiracy. Right to vote. Trump pleaded not guilty. He wants to be re-elected president in 2024. A spokesman called Chutkan’s decision “an absolute abomination.”

The judge was appointed by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama. On Monday, she read statements from Trump in which he described her as “an extremist follower of Obama.” She is the same worry less, She confirmed. But Trump is also trying to intimidate others. The judge had already asked the defense in a previous hearing to keep politics out of the courtroom and warned that she would take all necessary measures to “ensure the integrity of the case.”

(dpa/trex)