The Justice Department is using one of Donald Trump’s social media posts to argue for a protective order in his January 6th case. In a recent filing, prosecutors highlighted a post from Trump’s Truth Social platform where he declared, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” This comes after Trump pleaded not guilty to charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
In the court filing, prosecutors led by Special Counsel Jack Smith expressed concerns about the potential harm that could arise if Trump were to publicly share details or grand jury transcripts obtained during the discovery process. They emphasized that this could have a chilling effect on witnesses and negatively impact the fair administration of justice in the case.
To address these concerns, the prosecutors are requesting a protective order that would prevent Trump and his legal team from disseminating discovery materials, including witness information and grand jury testimony. While such orders are not uncommon, the prosecutors argue that it is particularly crucial in this case due to Trump’s history of making public statements on social media about individuals involved in legal matters against him.
In response to the government’s filing, a spokesperson for Trump defended his social media post as political speech. They claimed that it was a response to “RINO, China-loving, dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs” funded by organizations like the Koch brothers and the Club for No Growth.
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan has set deadlines for both parties to propose a trial date and respond to the protective order. A status conference has also been scheduled for a later date, although Trump will not be required to attend.
