Former president Donald Trump arrives at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 3, 2023 after showing at E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court docket Home. Trump pleaded not responsible Thursday to prices that he conspired to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 election at a court docket look in Washington, DC.
Tom Brenner | The Washington Publish | Getty Photographs
U.S. prosecutors flagged a threatening social media publish from Donald Trump in a late-night court docket submitting on Friday, arguing that it suggests he may intimidate witnesses by improperly disclosing confidential proof acquired from the federal government.
On his Reality Social web site on Friday, the previous president wrote, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” A day earlier, he pleaded not responsible to prices that he orchestrated a prison conspiracy to attempt to reverse his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
In the meantime, in Georgia, the place different prosecutors are investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn election ends in that state, authorities tightened safety across the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta. That metropolis has been making ready for the attainable announcement of what can be Trump’s fourth prison indictment this 12 months.
Within the submitting in Washington federal court docket, the workplace of Particular Counsel Jack Smith mentioned Trump’s social media publish raised considerations that he may publicly reveal secret materials, equivalent to grand jury transcripts, obtained from prosecutors.
It sought a protecting order prohibiting Trump and his attorneys from sharing any discovery supplies with unauthorized folks.
On Saturday, U.S. District Choose Tanya Chutkan gave Trump till 5 p.m. on Monday to reply. Trump’s attorneys requested for 3 extra days to organize their response however Chutkan shortly denied the request. Chutkan added she’s going to decide whether or not a listening to is required after reviewing Trump’s response.
Beneath the method referred to as discovery, prosecutors should present defendants with the proof towards them to allow them to put together their protection.
And not using a protecting order, Trump may start issuing public posts utilizing grand jury transcripts or different materials that “may have a dangerous chilling impact on witnesses or adversely have an effect on the honest administration of justice on this case,” prosecutors wrote of their submitting. They added Trump has a historical past of attacking judges, attorneys and witnesses in different instances towards him.
At his arraignment on Thursday, Trump swore to not intimidate witnesses or talk with them with out authorized counsel current.
Protecting orders are routine in instances involving confidential paperwork, however prosecutors mentioned it was notably vital to limit public dissemination given Trump’s social media statements.
A Trump spokesperson issued an announcement defending the previous president’s social media publish and attacking folks dubbed “Republicans in Title Solely” or RINOs.
“The Reality publish cited is the definition of political speech, and was in response to the RINO, China-loving, dishonest particular curiosity teams and tremendous PAC’s,” the assertion mentioned.
Safety round Atlanta court docket
For no less than the subsequent two weeks, officers are locking down safety across the courthouse in Atlanta. Fulton County District Lawyer Fani Willis has indicated she plans to carry prices in that investigation inside weeks.
Whereas the downtown court docket constructing will stay open, officers are closing surrounding roads to basic site visitors and have advised most staff to earn a living from home, the Atlanta Journal-Structure reported. Justice of the Peace court docket hearings, sometimes held for minor prison and civil instances, will probably be performed just about.
The sheriff’s workplace has canceled all day without work for the subsequent few weeks and police are working 12-hour shifts, the AJC reported. Orange barricades started showing across the courthouse final month, as officers ready for potential demonstrations ought to Trump be indicted within the coming weeks.
Trump has pleaded not responsible in two different prison instances. He faces federal prices in Miami for allegedly retaining labeled paperwork after leaving workplace and obstructing justice, and New York state prices in Manhattan for allegedly falsifying enterprise data to cover hush cash funds to a porn star.
The previous president has capitalized on his indictments because the first prices had been filed in April, rising his lead within the Republican nomination contest over his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Trump has solidified his standing because the front-runner regardless of his rising array of authorized troubles, public opinion polls present, however about half of Republicans wouldn’t vote for Trump if convicted of a felony, in line with a brand new Reuters/Ipsos ballot.
Trump has portrayed the entire investigations as a part of a political witch hunt supposed to stymie his 2024 marketing campaign.