D.C. Judge Tanya Chutkan has moved to limit the former president’s ability to attack prosecutors, witnesses, and court staff in his election interference trial
Donald Trump has officially been barred from making public statements that attacking prosecutors, witnesses, and court staff over the course of his federal 2020 election interference trial.
On Monday morning, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan partially granted a request from the Justice Department to restrict Trump’s ability to target individuals potentially involved in the case and curb his use of social media and public events to comment on the trial.
“Mr. Trump is facing criminal charges,” Judge Chutkan told the court. “He does not get to respond to every criticism of him if his response would affect potential witnesses. That’s the bottom line here.”
Excluded from Chutkan’s order are general attacks on the U.S. government, Justice Department leadership, the Biden administration, or general political accusations regarding the case.
The judge also warned the former president’s attorneys that she would not hesitate to impose “sanctions” on any violation of the order. “This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses. This is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice,” Chutkan said in her decision. “His presidential candidacy does not give him cart blanche to vilify public servants who are simply doing their jobs.”