Lawyers for former President Donald Trump are slamming prosecutors' request for a narrow gag order in his 2020 election subversion case in Washington, calling it an effort to “unconstitutionally silence” his political speech.
In court papers filed late Monday, attorneys for Trump urge U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to deny the proposal to bar the Republican ex-president from making inflammatory and intimidating comments about witnesses, lawyers and other people involved in the criminal case.
"If the prosecution wishes to avoid criticism for abusing its power, the solution is simple: stop abusing its power.
Prosecutors told the judge that a “narrow, well-defined” order was necessary to preserve the integrity of the case and to avoid prejudicing potential jurors.
There's a high bar for recusal, and Smith’s team has said there is no valid basis to have the judge removed from the case.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Tanya Chutkan, Jack Smith's, Trump, haven't
Organizations:
Trump, U.S, Republican, White House, Prosecutors, Capitol
Locations:
Washington