U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, overseeing special counsel Jack Smith’s 2020 election case, has issued a gag order against former President Donald Trump. The decision comes after a hearing at a federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., and mandates that Trump refrain from attacking prosecutors, witnesses, and court staff. The order is meant to prevent a “pre-trial smear campaign” by Trump against those involved in the case, and potential sanctions could be imposed for any violations. However, the judge did not restrict Trump from broadly criticizing Washington, D.C., its residents, or the Biden administration. The trial related to accusations of Trump plotting to overturn the 2020 election results is scheduled for early March.
In response to the gag order, a Trump spokesperson labeled it as an “abomination” and a partisan attempt by President Joe Biden to silence his political opponent. Trump has maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated, characterizing them as a “witch hunt.” He faces multiple criminal cases and civil litigation, though he continues to lead GOP polls as he campaigns for a potential 2024 run for the White House.