The complaint filed with U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan seeks to limit Trump’s ability to publicly disclose confidential details of the case, especially those related to the process known as discovery, in which prosecutors are required to provide evidence to defendants so they can Prepare your defense.
In their motion, prosecutors argue that Trump’s social media post could have a “detrimental chilling effect on witnesses” and could undermine the impartiality of the administration of justice in the case. In addition, they highlight that Trump has already publicly attacked judges, lawyers and witnesses in previous cases against him.
The response from the Trump campaign was immediate. A spokesman issued a statement defending the former president’s post on social media, calling it “political speech” and saying he was referring to special interest groups and political opponents.
Trump’s threatening message highlights the growing tension around the legal charges he faces and his willingness to use social media as a platform to express his position. Judge Chutkan will have to decide whether she issues a protective order limiting the release of information related to the case by Trump and his lawyers.
Protection orders are routine in cases involving confidential documents, but prosecutors said it was particularly important to restrict public disclosure given Trump’s remarks on social media.
If the defendant were to release publications about grand jury details or transcripts obtained during the trial “it could have a detrimental and chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case,” they added.
On Friday night in Alabama, Trump appeared before his supporters, calling the allegations against him “an act of desperation by a failed, dishonorable, crooked Joe Biden and his radical left-wing thugs to preserve their grip on power.” .
The White House has stressed that the Justice Department operates independently and that President Biden’s team has no involvement in cases against Trump.
With information from Reuters and AFP.