Staff Reports
In a classic case of fight or flight, former President Donald Trump has chosen to fight back against the Justice Department and Special Counsel Jack Smith. According to the Associated Press, Trump has made it clear that he will seek revenge against those who are coming after him, prompting Smith’s office to file a request for a protective order.
This protective order is meant to control the flow of information that Trump and his legal team can share with the public regarding the indictments he is facing. It’s not a full-on “gag order,” but it would certainly limit what Trump could say about the case.
It’s no secret that prosecutors have tried to silence Trump in the past, as he often takes to his Truth Social platform to share updates and express his opinions on the ongoing legal battles against him. Federal prosecutors asked U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to issue the protective order, and she gave Trump’s legal team until Monday to respond.
However, Trump’s legal team requested an extension and a hearing on the matter, stating that they needed more time for discussion. Unfortunately for Trump, the judge denied their request, forcing them to respond by Tuesday at 5 PM.
The fear and concern from Smith’s office is palpable. They claim that Trump has already published posts that mention “witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him.” This has them on edge and eager to shut down any potential damaging information from being shared.
UPDATE: Chutkan denied Trump’s request for a few extra days to respond to (another) Jack Smith ambush protective order filed Friday night as both sides were conferring.
Trump must file response by tomorrow at 5. Pretty sure this is highly unusual… https://t.co/VsACP7nXmL
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) August 6, 2023
Trump, in true Trump fashion, has been vocal about his opposition to the judge overseeing his latest federal indictment. In a recent Truth Social post, he argued that there is no way he can get a fair trial with this judge and hinted that his legal team will seek to have her disqualified. He also mentioned the possibility of a venue change, suggesting that Washington, D.C. may not be the most favorable location for him.
Clearly, Trump is not going down without a fight. He’s willing to take on anyone who dares to come after him, and the protective order is just another hurdle that he will do his best to overcome. Will justice be served? Or will Trump’s fighting spirit prevail? Only time will tell.
