Former President Donald Trump seems like a man who'll use anything at his disposal to win.
Now, he's threatening the prosecutors. And they're afraid. The Justice Department asked a federal judge hearing the criminal investigation against Donald Trump in Washington to intervene after the former president published an online message that threatened retaliation against anyone who pursues him.
Prosecutors requested U.S. District Court Judge Chutkan to issue a protection order in the case.
The order, distinct from a so-called "gag order," would restrict the information that Trump and his legal team might publicly disclose regarding the lawsuit special counsel Jack Smith has filed.
Protective orders of this nature are typical in criminal cases, but according to the prosecution, they are "particularly important in this case" because of what Trump has posted on social media against "witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him."
The prosecution was explicitly mentioned in a post on the Truth Social platform in which Trump wrote in all capital letters, "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU!".
Authorities declared that they are prepared to give Trump's legal team a "substantial" amount of evidence, "much of which includes sensitive and confidential information."
They warned the judge that it might have a "harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case" if Trump started publishing grand jury transcripts or other information provided by the Justice Department.
The protective order sought by prosecutors aims to keep Trump and his lawyers from revealing information obtained from the government to other members of his legal team, potential witnesses, the witnesses' attorneys, or any parties authorized by the court.
"Sensitive materials," such as grand jury witness testimony and information collected through sealed search warrants, would be subject to additional restrictions.
Do you think Trump can intimidate the legal system?
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