“Trump Can’t Say and Do as He Pleases” Just Because He’s Running for President, Blasts Judge as She Issues Gag Order

William FurneyOct 20, 2023

Minute Read

Just because he’s running for president again does not give Donald Trump the right to do or say anything he wants, including attacking those he doesn’t like, a US federal judge has said, as she slapped a gag order on the former president.

Judicial Process

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Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing a case alleging Trump attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and block the transfer of power to winner Joe Biden, said former president Trump could not be allowed to interfere with the process of justice.

‘Nothing Personal’

Judge Chutkan said: “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.”

“Mr. Trump is a criminal defendant. He is facing four felony charges. He is under the supervision of the criminal justice system, and he must follow his conditions of release. He does not have the right to say and do exactly what he pleases.”

Special Counsel Attack

The judge pointed out that Trump had repeatedly used social media to attack Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has been leading the investigation into Trump’s alleged wrongdoing.

“When you start to use a word like ‘thug’ to describe Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is doing his job, that wouldn’t be allowed by any other criminal defendant.”

‘No Blank Check’

She continued: “His presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to vilify public servants who are simply doing their jobs.” The judge said if Trump continued to attack people, chiefly by using social media, he would face punishment by the court.

‘Tone It Down’ Request

“Just because the defendant is running a political campaign does not allow him to do whatever he wants. If the message Mr. Trump wants to express is ‘my prosecution is politically motivated,’ he can do so without using ‘highly charged language.”

Disbelief at Trump Rants

Appearing incredulous over Trump’s unrelenting attacks on others, Judge Chutkan asked: “In what kind of case do you think it would be appropriate for a criminal defendant to call the prosecutor a thug and stay on the streets?”

Appealing the Gag Order

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Shortly after Trump was ordered not to make personal attacks on people connected with this case, he wrote on his network Truth Social that he would appeal the order.

“WILL APPEAL THE GAG ORDER RULING. WITCH HUNT!” he wrote in capitals.

Attack on Judge

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Trump has also gone after Judge Chutkan — who was appointed by former president Obama — on social media, branding her a “biased, Trump Hating Judge.”

‘Politically Motivated’ Proceedings

In response to the gag order, Trump attorney John Lauro suggested the charges were brought about by Democratic sympathizers keen to keep him from being elected president in next year’s election.

“President Trump firmly believes that these proceedings are brought by a politically motivated prosecutor,” he said.

Trial Date Stays the Same

Despite attempts by Trump lawyers to move the trial date to after the presidential election next year, fearing it might harm his chances of returning to the White House, the court has ruled it will go ahead as planned, in March.

“This trial will not yield to the election cycle, and we will not revisit the trial date,” said Judge Chutkan.

Another Gag Order

Trump has received a gag order in a separate, civil case that alleges years-long fraud at his Trump Organization property empire, after he made disparaging remarks about a senior court clerk. Already the trial, underway in New York, has ruled that fraud did occur and the court revoked some of the organization’s licenses. Prosecutors are seeking at least $250 million in fines.

Leading the Nomination Race

The former president is the frontrunner in the race to become the Republican Party’s nomination for its candidate in the 2024 election, next November 5. He leads by a wide margin, of up to 60 percent support among Republican voters compared to 10% and less for his rivals, according to recent opinion polls.