Trump says prosecutors seeking to restrict his free speech rights
The Hindu
Prosecutors asked U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is to preside over the case, for a protective order on Friday after Mr. Trump posted “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!” on Truth Social.
Donald Trump pushed back on Monday against a bid by government lawyers to restrict what he can share publicly about his historic prosecution for allegedly conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
"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.
"Deranged Jack Smith and the Department of Injustice should, however, because they are illegally 'leaking' all over the place!" he added in a reference to the special counsel who filed the case against him.
In a court filing, lawyers for the former president also argued on Monday that the restrictions proposed by Mr. Smith would violate Mr. Trump's right to free speech under the First Amendment to the Constitution.
"In a trial about First Amendment rights, the government seeks to restrict First Amendment rights," Mr. Trump's attorney John Lauro said, putting forward a line of argument that defense lawyers are expected to make at trial.
Prosecutors asked U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is to preside over the case, for a protective order on Friday after Mr. Trump posted "If you go after me, I'm coming after you!" on Truth Social.
"Such a restriction is particularly important in this case because the defendant has previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him," they said.