Washington — A federal appeals court on Friday reinstated key aspects of a gag order limiting what former President Donald Trump can say in the case involving his alleged attempts to thwart the transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election
The three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to the extent that it prohibits the former president from making public statements about potential witnesses in the case "concerning their potential participation in the investigation or in this criminal proceeding." He is also barred from commenting about lawyers in the case other than the special counsel, members of court staff and lawyers' staff, and their family members.
Trump can, however, make statements criticizing the Biden administration, the Justice Department and special counsel Jack Smith. He can also continue claiming that the prosecution is politically motivated and that he is innocent of the four charges against him.
"We do not take such an order lightly," stated U.S. Circuit Court Judge Patricia Millet in a written opinion for the court. She emphasized that although Mr. Trump is a former president and a current presidential candidate, there is a significant public interest in hearing what he has to say. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that Mr. Trump is also an indicted criminal defendant who must face trial in a courtroom following the same procedures as any other criminal defendant. This is the essence of the rule of law."
This story is still developing and will be updated accordingly.
