A gag order requested from special counsel Jack Smith would significantly limit the amount that former President Donald Trump could say about his upcoming federal trial. Smith’s actions would severely affect the presidential candidate’s ability to criticize his successor, President Joe Biden.
Included in Smith’s request to U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, Smith requested Trump be restricted in what he could say regarding his trial over the aftermath of the 2020 election. In particular, the request cites a recent Truth Social post in which the president quoted Fox News host Jesse Watters.
Watters stated, and Trump quoted that Biden “directed his Attorney General to prosecute his rival. This is not an independent Justice Department, this is not an independent special counsel. This is being directed by the Commander-in-Chief.”
The special counsel argues that his request is a “modest” one. However, the text of Smith’s argument would keep Trump from making “disparaging and inflammatory” statements regarding witnesses and “any party” to the case.
He also argued that Trump’s social media post cited earlier is “attempting to submit his false and inflammatory claims to the public and jury pool outside of court.”
Trump’s comments also reflect revelations of potential Department of Justice (DOJ) intervention on behalf of Hunter Biden. According to the testimony of IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, efforts by U.S. Attorney David Weiss to charge the president’s son was blocked by two different DOJ officials.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has repeatedly denied that the DOJ has interfered in any prosecution.
Any GOP member of Congress who votes yes on the 30-day funding CR will be guilty of helping US President Biden run his witch hunts against Trump and his supporters. No CR unless Jack Smith is completely defunded.
pic.twitter.com/UhuRCBO8cU— Charles R Downs (@TheCharlesDowns) September 19, 2023
Smith also cited a number of other requests and omments. In particular, he protested Trump’s August social media post that read “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”
Furthermore, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Smith’s efforts would restrict his “PUBLIC STATEMENTS.”
“So, I’m campaigning for President against an incompetent person who has WEAPONIZED the DOJ & FBI to go after his Political Opponent, & I am not allowed to COMMENT?” Trump wrote. “They Leak, Lie, & Sue, & they won’t allow me to SPEAK? How else would I explain that Jack Smith is DERANGED, or Crooked Joe is INCOMPETENT?”
