Special Counsel Jack Smith can't stand the thought of former President Donald Trump speaking his mind regarding the federal cases he faces.
According to Axios, Smith moved to urge the judge in the federal 2020 election interference case to reinstate a gag order against the former president, citing Trump's perceived "inflammatory" speech regarding the case.
Smith and his prosecutors wrote this week that Trump "has persistently used social media to make prejudicial comments about the case and its participants."
The special counsel has long argued that Trump should be silenced on his Truth Social platform, as the former president has made numerous posts going after Smith and some of the people involved in the federal case.
Smith also argued Trump "has taken advantage of administrative stays to engage in targeting of witnesses, as well as prosecutors and their families."
Jack Smith submitted his answer to Trump's gag order appeal that is currently pending with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. In the opening pages, Smith claims Trump is essentially an insurrectionist even though he admits he was not charged accordingly under the law. pic.twitter.com/LoDckpnwdY
— Robert Gouveia Esq. (@RobGouveiaEsq) November 15, 2023
Axios added:
They argue that there has been a "pattern, stretching back years, in which people publicly targeted by the defendant are, as a result of the targeting, subject to harassment, threats, and intimidation."
Trump and his lawyers have fought the gag order in this particular case -- and others -- tooth and nail, claiming that it's a clear violation of the former president's right to free speech.
They have especially emphasized that a gag order on a leading presidential candidate is unprecedented and unwarranted, to say the least. Many legal experts agree.
Special counsel #JackSmith filed court papers seeking to uphold a gag order in former President Donald #Trump’s 2020 election case, claiming that the former president’s public criticism of the prosecutor is reason to keep it intact. https://t.co/45LecnGNYk
— NTD News (@NTDNews) November 16, 2023
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan originally issued the gag order in October, but later agreed to place a hold on it while Trump and his lawyers were afforded a right to contest it in another court.
The gag order, as it stands in this case, is still on hold.
Trump has scored a victory in the New York civil trial as far as gag orders are concerned, as one that was placed on him in that trial was recently lifted.
The former president continues to dominate the GOP primary polls, and has also increased his lead against President Joe Biden in several 2024 hypothetical matchup polls.
