U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan partially restricts what Donald Trump can say about election conspiracy case – By Bart Jansen (USA Today) / Oct 16, 2023
Prosecutors argued Trump’s comments could provoke his supporters to threaten violence. But Trump contends the government is trying to censor him as he campaigns for president.
- Prosecutors contend Trump’s comments and social media posts could threaten or intimidate witnesses and victims in the case.
- Judge Chutkan has been threatened after Trump called her a ‘fraud’ and a ‘biased, Trump-hating judge.’
WASHINGTON – U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan set limits Monday on what Donald Trump can say about prosecutors, witnesses and the judge’s staff in his election conspiracy case to avoid influencing the jury during trial.
Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith asked for the order to stop Trump’s speeches and statements on social media that attack witnesses, prosecutors and the judge in ways that can sometimes provoke his supporters to threaten violence.
But Trump opposed the order as political interference and a violation of his First Amendment right to speech in the 2024 presidential campaign. Trump also had asked Chutkan to remove herself from the case, which she rejected.
