Prosecutors in DC election case are seeking a partial gag order for Trump

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors within the case charging Donald Trump with scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election are looking for an order that will prohibit the previous president from “inflammatory” and “intimidating” feedback about witnesses, attorneys and the decide.

Particular counsel Jack Smith’s workforce mentioned in a movement filed Friday that such a “slim, well-defined” order was essential to protect the integrity of the case and to keep away from prejudicing potential jurors.

“For the reason that grand jury returned an indictment on this case, the defendant has repeatedly and extensively disseminated public statements attacking the residents of the District of Columbia, the Courtroom, prosecutors, and potential witnesses,” prosecutors wrote. “By his statements, the defendant threatens to undermine the integrity of those proceedings and prejudice the jury pool.”

They mentioned Trump’s efforts to weaken religion within the courtroom system and the administration of justice mirror his assaults on the 2020 election, which he falsely claimed that he had received.

“The defendant is now trying to do the identical factor on this felony case — to undermine confidence within the felony justice system and prejudice the jury pool by means of disparaging and inflammatory assaults on the residents of this District, the Courtroom, prosecutors, and potential witnesses,” they wrote.

Among the many statements cited by prosecutors of their movement is a a put up on his Reality Social platform days after the indictment through which Trump wrote, in all capital letters, “When you go after me, I am coming after you!” He has additionally repeatedly alleged on social media that the case in opposition to him is “rigged” and that he can not obtain a good trial. And he has attacked in private phrases the prosecutors bringing the case — calling Smith “deranged” and his workforce “thugs” — in addition to the decide presiding over the case, Tanya Chutkan.

A Trump spokesperson mentioned in an announcement that prosecutors have been “corruptly and cynically persevering with to try to deprive President Trump of his First Modification rights.

“That is nothing greater than blatant election interference as a result of President Trump is by far the main candidate on this race. The American individuals — the voters — see proper by means of this un-Constitutional charade and can ship President Trump again to the White Home,” the spokesperson mentioned.

The problem surfaced final week with the disclosure by the Justice Division that it sought to file a movement associated to “day by day” public statements by Trump that it mentioned it feared would taint the jury pool. Chutkan on Friday granted permission to prosecutors to file a redacted movement publicly, with names and figuring out data of people who say they have been harassed on account of Trump’s assaults blacked out.

Additionally Friday, Smith’s workforce pushed again in opposition to the Trump workforce request to have Chutkan recuse herself from the case. Protection attorneys had cited prior feedback from Chutkan that they are saying solid doubt on her skill to be truthful, however prosecutors responded that there was no legitimate foundation for her to step apart.