DOJ Requests Protective Order in Trump Election Interference Case
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked a federal judge to issue a protective order in the criminal case against former President Donald Trump. The request comes after Trump made a post online that appeared to threaten revenge on anyone who goes after him.
Prosecutors filed the request on Friday, a day after Trump pleaded not guilty to charges of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss and block the peaceful transition of power. The protective order, different from a gag order, would limit what information Trump and his legal team can share publicly about the case.
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan has given Trump’s legal team until Monday to respond to the government’s request. However, Trump’s team has requested an extension until Thursday and a hearing on the matter, citing the need for more time for discussion. Judge Chutkan denied the extension request, reaffirming that Trump must abide by Monday’s deadline.
The DOJ argues that a protective order is necessary in this case because Trump has posted on social media about witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with the legal matters pending against him. They specifically pointed to a post on Trump’s Truth Social platform in which he wrote, “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!”
Prosecutors have stated that they are ready to hand over a substantial amount of evidence, including sensitive and confidential information, to Trump’s legal team. They believe that if Trump were to publicly disclose grand jury transcripts or other evidence provided by the DOJ, it could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses and adversely affect the fair administration of justice in the case.
The proposed protective order seeks to prevent Trump and his lawyers from disclosing materials provided by the government to anyone other than people on his legal team, possible witnesses, the witnesses’ lawyers, or others approved by the court. It would also put stricter limits on sensitive materials, such as grand jury witness testimony and materials obtained through sealed search warrants.
A spokesperson for Trump defended his post, stating that it was political speech and a response to dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs.
Judge Chutkan, known for being tough on rioters involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, will preside over the case. The indictment against Trump accuses him of conspiring with allies to spread falsehoods and concoct schemes to overturn his election loss to Joe Biden.
This is the third criminal case brought against Trump this year, but the first to hold him responsible for his efforts to remain in power between the election loss and the Capitol attack. Trump is also facing charges in a case brought by the Manhattan district attorney and another case involving classified documents.
The trial in the election interference case is scheduled for March, while the trial in the classified documents case is scheduled for May. Prosecutors have pledged a speedy trial, and Judge Chutkan has ordered the government to propose a trial date by Thursday.
In addition to the ongoing legal battles, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is nearing a charging decision in her investigation into 2020 election interference in Georgia.
Trump continues to escalate his rhetoric against special counsel Jack Smith, calling him a deranged, sick person and accusing federal and local prosecutors of election interference without providing any proof. The Trump campaign has released a new ad targeting Smith, Willis, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The case against Trump is being closely watched as it could have significant implications for his political future and the broader issue of election integrity.DOJ Requests Protective Order in Trump Election Interference Case
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked a federal judge to issue a protective order in the criminal case against former President Donald Trump. The request comes after Trump made a post online that appeared to threaten revenge on anyone who goes after him.
Prosecutors filed the request on Friday, a day after Trump pleaded not guilty to charges of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss and block the peaceful transition of power. The protective order, different from a gag order, would limit what information Trump and his legal team can share publicly about the case.
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan has given Trump’s legal team until Monday to respond to the government’s request. However, Trump’s legal team has requested an extension until Thursday and a hearing on the matter, citing the need for more time.
The DOJ argues that a protective order is necessary in this case because Trump has posted on social media about witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with the legal matters pending against him. They specifically pointed to a post on Trump’s Truth Social platform in which he wrote, “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!”
Prosecutors have stated that they are ready to hand over a substantial amount of evidence, including sensitive and confidential information, to Trump’s legal team. They believe that if Trump were to publicly disclose grand jury transcripts or other evidence provided by the DOJ, it could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses and adversely affect the fair administration of justice in the case.
The proposed protective order seeks to prevent Trump and his lawyers from disclosing materials provided by the government to anyone other than people on his legal team, possible witnesses, the witnesses’ lawyers, or others approved by the court. It would also impose stricter limits on sensitive materials, such as grand jury witness testimony and materials obtained through sealed search warrants.
A spokesperson for Trump defended his post, stating that it was political speech and a response to dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs.
Judge Chutkan, known for being tough on rioters involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, has been assigned to oversee this case. The indictment against Trump accuses him of conspiring with allies to spread falsehoods and concoct schemes to overturn his election loss to Joe Biden.
This is the third criminal case brought against Trump this year, but the first to hold him responsible for his efforts to remain in power between the election and the Capitol attack. Trump is also facing charges in a case brought by the Manhattan district attorney and another case involving classified documents.
The trial in the Washington case is scheduled for March, while the trial in the classified documents case is set for May. Prosecutors have pledged a speedy trial, and Judge Chutkan has ordered the government to propose a trial date by Thursday.
In addition to the ongoing legal battles, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is nearing a charging decision in her investigation into election interference in Georgia. Trump continues to escalate his rhetoric against prosecutors, calling them deranged and accusing them of election interference.
The DOJ’s request for a protective order highlights the contentious nature of the case against Trump and the potential impact of his public statements on the fair administration of justice. As the legal proceedings continue, the nation will be closely watching the outcome of these high-profile cases.
Who are the individuals approved by the court that may be part of Trump’s legal team or possible witnesses in the case?
Han individuals on his legal team, possible witnesses, the witnesses’ lawyers, or others approved by the court. It would also impose stricter limits on sensitive materials, such as grand jury witness testimony and materials obtained through sealed search warrants.
A spokesperson for Trump defended his post, stating that it was political speech and a response to dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs.
Judge Chutkan, known for her tough stance on the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, will preside over the case. The indictment accuses Trump of conspiring with allies to spread falsehoods and devise schemes to overturn his election loss to Joe Biden.
This is the third criminal case filed against Trump this year, but the first to hold him accountable for his efforts to cling to power between the election loss and the Capitol attack. Trump is also facing charges in a case brought by the Manhattan district attorney and another case involving classified documents.
The trial for the election interference case is scheduled for March, while the trial for the classified documents case is set for May. Prosecutors have promised a swift trial, and Judge Chutkan has ordered the government to propose a trial date by Thursday.
Apart from these legal battles, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is nearing a decision on whether to file charges in her investigation into 2020 election interference in Georgia.
Trump continues to escalate his rhetoric against special counsel Jack Smith, labeling him a deranged and sick person, and accusing federal and local prosecutors of election interference without providing any evidence. The Trump campaign has released a new ad targeting Smith, Willis, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The outcome of the case against Trump is closely watched as it could have significant implications for his political future and the broader issue of election integrity.
I hope this order ensures a fair and thorough investigation into any potential election interference.