Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed a narrow gag order on the former president and made it perfectly clear that he is “a criminal defendant” and “does not have the right to say and do exactly what he pleases.”
No more Trump’s unhinged posts
This is the most significant restriction a court imposed on Trump, who is in the middle of fighting to return to the White House while also fighting four indictments, including RICO charges in Georgia and charges against the alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Chutkan was clear
The Obama-appointed Judge declared, per CNN, “Mr. Trump is a criminal defendant. He is facing four felony charges. He is under the supervision of the criminal justice system, and he must follow his conditions of release.”
The Judge had a lot more to say
Chutkan continued, ” He does not have the right to say and do exactly what he pleases.” She reportedly asked Trump’s attorney, “Do you agree with that?” He responded, “100 percent.”
Chutkan on Jack Smith
“I shouldn’t have a protective order placed on me because it would impinge upon my right to FREE SPEECH,” the former president said in a post on his Truth Social platform. (Photo by SAUL LOEB and Eva Marie UZCATEGUI / AFP)
The Judge explained her order, “When you start to use a word like ‘thug’ to describe Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is doing his job, that wouldn’t be allowed by any other criminal defendant.” Trump repeatedly called Smith a “thug” during his Truth Social posts and rallies.
Highly charged language
The Judge continued, “Just because the defendant is running a political campaign does not allow him to do whatever he wants. If the message Mr. Trump wants to express is ‘my prosecution is politically motivated,’ he can do so without using “highly charged language.'”
Calling Trump “troubling”
The Judge called the former president “troubling” and added how his posts could incite violence against Smith and his team. She asked, “In what kind of case do you think it would be appropriate for a criminal defendant to call the prosecutor a thug and stay on the streets?” while referring to his posts.
Trump’s attorney tried to argue
Trump’s legal team said that the former president was fighting “oppression” and “totalitarianism,” but the Judge only told the lawyer to “tone down” his language.
The prosecution fired at Trump’s lawyer
Molly Gaston, the prosecutor, told the Judge, “What Mr. Lauro is saying is the defendant is above the law, and he is not subject to the rules of this court like any other defendant is.” She added, “All this order would do is prevent him from using the campaign as an opportunity to make materially prejudicial statements about this case.”
Chutkan told Lauro off
“You keep talking about censorship like the defendant has unfettered First Amendment rights. He doesn’t,” Chutkan told John Lauro, Trump’s lawyer, adding, “We’re not talking about censorship here. We’re talking restrictions to ensure there is a fair administration of justice on this case.”
Trial date will not change
The Judge stated, “This trial will not yield to the election cycle, and we will not revisit the trial date.” The D.C. trial is set to start at the beginning of March. The Judge also noted that if a gag order gets violated, “sanctions as may be necessary.”
Trump’s lawyer shared a brief comment
Trump’s attorney, John Lauro, stated, “He is allowed to make statements the prosecution doesn’t like. That’s part of living with the First Amendment.” A Trump spokesperson called the Judge’s decision “an absolute abomination.”
Trump’s second gag order
Previously, a New York Judge issued a gag order banning personal attacks against court personnel following a social media post from Trump that targeted the court employee.
Trump already tested the Judge’s patience
Trump launched attacks on Judge Chutkan, Jack Smith, and even a potential witness in one of her cases days after he was warned in D.C.
Anything you say…
Trump slammed U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan on Truth Social because she is “highly partisan” and “very biased and unfair.” The former president cited a statement made during the sentencing of Christine Priola, who participated attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Chutkan worked on numerous January 6 cases
Trump’s conclusion was, “She obviously wants me behind bars.” The GOP’s potential presidential nominee cited Priola’s sentencing when Judge Chutkan said, “The people who mobbed that Capitol were there in fealty, in loyalty to one man, not to the Constitution, of which most of the people who come before me seem woefully ignorant.”
The woman pleaded guilty
The Judge called Priola “sincere” and added, “I do not like it when people break the law or take the law into their own hands. I do not want people out there acting like morons. I was one of those morons. I caused great harm to others, and it caused a ripple effect that I could never undo.”
The former president against the witness
Trump went after former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan confirmed that he was invited to testify before the grand jury in Georgia, writing, “I am reading reports that failed former Lt. Governor of Georgia, Jeff Duncan, will be testifying before the Fulton Country Grand Jury,” Trump wrote and warned, “He shouldn’t.”
More of the same
Trump continued, “I barely know him, but he was, right from the beginning of this Witch Hunt, a nasty disaster for those looking into the Election Fraud that took place in Georgia. He refused to have a Special Session to find out what went on, became very unpopular with Republicans (I refused to endorse him!), and fought the TRUTH all the way. A loser, he went to FCNN!”
Trump is angry with Jack Smith
Special Counsel Jack Smith also received a message on Truth Social, “How dare lowlife prosecutor, Deranged Jack Smith, break into my former Twitter account without informing me and, indeed, trying to completely hide this atrocity from me.”
So many questions
Trump wondered, adding, “What could he possibly find out that is not already known. Just like the early morning raid of Mar-a-Lago! Why isn’t the DOJ raiding Crooked Joe Biden, the most CORRUPT (and Incompetent!) President in the history of the United States?”
Legal troubles
Attorney Bradley Moss wrote on X, “He is now taunting grand jury witnesses in Georgia.” Moss added, “Just begging for trouble from whatever judge gets assigned that case if, as expected, Willis indicts him tomorrow.”
Could be unlawful
Georgia State Law Professor Anthony Michael Kreis also shared his thoughts on X, writing, “This is blatantly unlawful stuff.” Kreis continued, “Add witness tampering to the potential predicate acts for a Georgia RICO charge.”
Special case
Former President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill, wondered, “Imagine an accused gang leader posting this on social media after public reports about a witness to be called before the grand jury? Would such a defendant be jailed or charged with witness tampering? In the alternative, Trump is actively seeking to poison the jury pool.”
The Judge set the rules
Judge Chutkan issued a protective order against Donald Trump regarding his Washinton indictment and told the former president’s lawyers, “He’s a criminal defendant — he’s going to have restrictions like every single other defendant.”
The Judge is clear
She added, “The more a party makes inflammatory statements about this case which could taint the jury pool or intimidate potential witnesses, the greater the urgency will be that we proceed to trial to ensure a jury pool from which we can select an impartial jury.”
More From BuzzLoving
See a grandma refuse to return a baby to her son: “It’s not kidnapping, I’m her grandma”: Grandma Refuses To Return Her Grandchild
Bouncer Catches Evil Man Putting Drugs in Young Woman’s Drink and Takes Matters into His Own Hands
A bouncer revealed how he caught a guy who was using illegal substances to make young women his prey: Bouncer Catches Evil Man Putting Drugs in Young Woman’s Drink and Takes Matters into His Own Hands
12 Films Guaranteed to Freeze Your Blood: Are You Brave Enough?
Looking for movies that redefine the word horror? Sometimes, it’s not just about the spooky movies you’ve heard of, sometimes it’s the ones that delve deep into horror that have a greater impact. Sit back, try to relax, and dive into these 12 films that are absolutely bone-chilling. 12 Films Guaranteed to Freeze Your Blood: Are You Brave Enough?
25 Movies You May Only Watch Once Because They’ll Destroy You
Some movies can leave such a profound impact on us that we can’t bear watching them again. Ever. These films stay with us long after the credits roll, haunting our thoughts and leaving us emotionally shattered. Here, we’ve compiled a list of 25 movies deemed one-time experiences by viewers on an online forum who have been through the emotional wringer.
25 Movies You May Only Watch Once Because They’ll Destroy You
20 Irresistible Traits That Define a TRUE Manly Man
Discover 20 must-have characteristics that distinguish a truly manly man and see how many of them you or your man possess: 20 Irresistible Traits That Define a True Manly Man