Donald Trump Decries Gag Order Amid 2020 Election Case: 'Witch Hunt!'

By Rick Martin First Posted: Oct 16, 2023 08:42 PM EDT

After continuing to attack judges and prosecutors after being warned not to, Donald Trump has been issued a gag order for his 2020 election case, and he is whining about it, calling it a "witch hunt."

After Judge Tanya Chutkan, whom he attacked multiple times on social media despite being warned against it, issued the order, Trump took to social media and wrote in all caps, "WILL APPEAL THE GAG ORDER RULING. WITCH HUNT!"

Trump decried the gag order as an attack on his First Amendment rights, something that he has been complaining about since being warned that he may get a gag order. "A TERRIBLE THING HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY TODAY - GAG ORDER!" he added in his social media tirade, according to DEADLINE.

Lead defense attorney John Lauro echoed his client's sentiments and claimed that the court would be violating the former president's First Amendment rights should he be gagged as what he is saying is political speech as part of his presidential campaign.

However, the special counsel pointed out that Donald Trump has been using that very presidential campaign as a way to try the case in the court of public opinion. Prosecutors noted that his statements are designed to not just prejudice potential jurors but also intimidate witnesses.

Judge Tanya Chutkan Finally Puts Her Foot Down and Issues Donald Trump a Gag Order

After repeatedly warning Trump about his constant attacks and hiding behind political speech, Judge Tanya Chutkan finally issued the gag order, telling the former president, "This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses, this is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice."

According to CNN, Judge Chutkan warned the former president that violating the gag order could result in sanctions, adding, "His presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to vilify public servants who are simply doing their jobs,"

She then rebuked Trump by listing his various attacks over the 2020 elections case, including posts against potential witnesses and even his attacks against herself. She even noted that Trump attacked her as recently as Sunday evening, the day before the trial.

Special Counsel Warns Donald Trump Is Using Political Speech To Intimidate Witnesses

"The defendant's relentless public posts marshaling anger and mistrust in the justice system, the Court, and prosecutors have already influenced the public," argued prosecutors. "For instance, on August 5, 2023, an individual was arrested because she called the Court's chambers and made racist death threats to the Court that were tied to the Court's role in presiding over the defendant's case."

Chutkan agreed and pointed out a hypothetical, giving an example of what should be done if Trump declared one of the potential witnesses, his former Attorney General Bill Barr, "should be executed for his many treasonous acts."

According to the BBC, Special Counsel Jack Smith was the one who requested the gag order. His prosecutors noted, "The defendant can't be permitted to intentionally try this case in the court of public opinion."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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