Trump reacts to Special Counsel’s request for protective order.
Donald Trump Responds to Request for Protective Order in Election Criminal Case
Former President Donald Trump has responded to special counsel Jack Smith‘s request for a protective order in the federal 2020 election criminal case against him. In a filing submitted just before the deadline, Trump’s lawyers have asked for the proposed order to be narrowed to protect only genuinely sensitive materials from public view.
Trump’s legal team argues that a broader order could restrict their client from discussing non-sensitive, potentially exculpatory evidence and seeking the help of volunteer attorneys or others without paid employment arrangements. They also claim that the government is seeking to restrict Trump’s First Amendment rights in a case about First Amendment rights.
In addition, Trump’s lawyers point out that President Joe Biden has already capitalized on the indictment, citing a re-election campaign social media post showing him drinking from a ”Dark Brandon” coffee mug just hours before Trump was arraigned.
The prosecutors filed the request for a protective order last week, stating that much of the evidence they plan to share with Trump’s legal team contains sensitive and confidential information. They also expressed concerns about Trump’s social media posts regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with the legal matters pending against him.
Smith’s team specifically referenced a post Trump made to his Truth Social account, where he wrote in all capital letters, “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!”
Judge Rejects Extension Request
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, based in Washington, D.C., has rejected the Trump legal team’s request for an extension to respond to the protective order request. Trump’s lawyers have requested a hearing on the matter to fully discuss each redline and address any concerns the Court may have.
Trump, who is running a 2024 campaign for another term in the White House, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and claims to be the target of a “witch hunt” while facing multiple criminal indictments on the federal and state levels.
In two cases brought by Smith, one related to his handling of sensitive documents after leaving office and the other focused on alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, the former president has pleaded not guilty.
In a post to Truth Social, Trump expressed his frustration, questioning the timing of the indictments and whether a president can order the Department of Justice to indict an opponent just prior to an election. He also raised concerns about the future of elections in America and labeled the situation as election interference.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
