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A federal judge overseeing the case against former President Donald Trump related to the 2020 election has agreed to impose some limitations on what he can say publicly about the case.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan a hearing in federal court in Washington, D.C., in response to a request from special counsel Jack Smith and his team to limit the former president’s statements.
Chutkan issued a split ruling, granting the Justice Department’s request to restrict specific statements by Trump that could jeopardize the trial. She emphasized that this decision is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice rather than whether she likes the language Trump uses. The judge denied the request to prohibit Trump from making statements about the District of Columbia or criticizing the Biden administration and the Justice Department.
In response to the ruling, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he will be appealing. A spokesperson for Trump criticized the decision as a “partisan knife” in a statement.
During the hearing, Chutkan grappled with the potential consequences of taking action to limit Trump’s public statements or keeping the current conditions of his pretrial release. The Justice Department had asked Chutkan to impose a “narrowly tailored” order to prevent Trump from making statements that could materially prejudice the case. Smith’s team argued that Trump has an established practice of targeting those who challenge him, which could damage the fair trial process.
Trump’s attorneys opposed the request, claiming it would restrict his right to free speech and hinder his ability to campaign, given the intertwined nature of the criminal prosecution and political campaign. Trump has accused the special counsel of pursuing a politically motivated prosecution aimed at harming his 2024 presidential campaign.
Chutkan carefully examined the areas where restrictions would be applied, including statements about Washington, D.C., and the jury pool, criticisms of the Biden administration and the Justice Department, discussions about Smith and his team, statements targeting the court and its staff, and comments about witnesses in the case. She read aloud some of the statements made by Trump in court, highlighting the concerns raised by prosecutors.
The judge’s ruling reflects her concern about potential witness intimidation, and she emphasized that Trump’s presidential candidacy does not give him “carte blanche” to vilify prosecutors and others involved in the case. Violating the new order could lead to unspecified sanctions.
The trial against Trump is set for March 2024, coinciding with the presidential primary elections. He has been indicted on four charges, including conspiracy and obstructing Congress’ work related to his alleged attempts to reverse the 2020 election results, and has pleaded not guilty.
Chutkan’s decision comes amid ongoing discussions about the intersection of First Amendment rights, the right to a fair trial, and the highly charged political context in which the case is unfolding. The ruling reflects the complex challenges posed by the case, which merges legal and political dimensions as Trump continues to be a prominent political figure and potential presidential candidate in 2024.
