A federal judge on Monday issued a gag order on former President Donald Trump, limiting what he can say about special counsel Jack Smith’s federal prosecution into his alleged attempt to subvert in the 2020 presidential election.
The order restricts Trump’s ability to publicly target court personnel, potential witnesses, or the special counsel and his staff. The order did not impose restrictions on disparaging comments about Washington, DC, – where the jury will take place – or certain comments about the Justice Department at large, both of which the government requested.
“This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses,” Judge Tanya Chutkan said. “This is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice.”
“His presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to vilify public servants who are simply doing their jobs,” the judge added.
For some reason no media seem to have linked to a copy of the gag order, but prior reporting suggests that the judge’s threat if Trump violates the order is to do one thing he really doesn’t want the court to do, which is move up the trial date.
Which is a quite reasonable move.
“Dude continues with his threats? Alright, let’s get this over with. And add his threats to the pile of evidence.”
The theory is hey, if he’s going to keep trying to tamper with witnesses and jurors, were going to expedite the trial to minimize his opportunity.
Probably along with fines.