In a recent development, Judge Tanya Chutkan, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, has imposed a gag order on former President Donald Trump.
The ruling restricts Trump from making public comments about his case involving special counsel Jack Smith, court personnel, or any other parties involved in the case, including the prosecution.
Judge Chutkan clarified her decision, stating, "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," as reported by NPR. She further argued that Trump's previous presidential status does not grant him the liberty to threaten or defame public servants performing their duties.
Trump's legal team has previously contended that this move infringes upon his First Amendment rights and contradicts established law. "The Biden administration is seeking to censor a political candidate in the middle of a campaign," Trump's attorney John Lauro remarked.
Judge Chutkan, who was appointed to the US District Court by Barack Obama in 2014, has been a significant contributor to his campaign and victory fund, donating approximately $4,300 between the 2008 and 2012 elections. She has presided over numerous cases related to the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot. Of the 38 cases she has adjudicated related to the event, all have resulted in convictions, with 19 sentences either matching or exceeding the Department of Justice's recommendations.
In a request for the gag order, the Department of Justice refuted the Trump defense's claims of First Amendment violations. The prosecution argued that this right only applies to materials in criminal cases that have an 'unbroken, uncontradicted history' of openness and where public access significantly contributes to the functioning of the material. The prosecution further contended that the court need not decide whether the First Amendment applies in this case, as the government has already 'met its burden to justify the redactions.'
This gag order follows a similar one issued to Trump in May of this year by Judge Juan Merchan, prohibiting him from publicly discussing witnesses or evidence related to a criminal case involving alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
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