President Donald Trump is responding to a recent filing from Special Counsel Jack Smith requesting a gag order against him in the January 6 case.
"Deranged Jack Smith’s Gag Order request would make it impossible for me to speak negatively about Crooked Joe Biden, and other subjects of incompetence. How Ridiculous! No more FIRST AMENDMENT?" Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday.
Late last week news broke that Smith requested the gag order from U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan. Smith claimed it was "narrowly tailored," when in reality, it cast a very wide net.
"On Friday afternoon, U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan unsealed filings revealing the government’s week-old request, arguing that Trump is undermining the fairness of the proceedings through “disparaging and inflammatory attacks” on prosecutors, witnesses and the judge in the case," POLITICO first reported.
...The order would prohibit Trump from making statements "regarding the identity, testimony, or credibility of prospective witnesses" and "statements about any party, witness, attorney, court personnel, or potential jurors that are disparaging and inflammatory, or intimidating."
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) September 15, 2023
...While D.C. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has said that she will not make accommodations for the fact that Trump is a candidate for President, this could force the issue and result in an appeal...
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) September 15, 2023
...Trump is running on the weaponization of the Justice Department and the criminal justice system. Many Americans agree with his criticism. Smith could curtail much of that debate by pushing this trial before the election.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) September 15, 2023