OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
Former President Donald Trump expressed his frustration after a gag order was imposed on him in his federal election interference trial.
“The Corrupt Biden Administration just took away my First Amendment Right To Free Speech. NOT CONSTITUTIONAL! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” the leading GOP contender in the 2024 presidential race said in a Sunday post on his Truth Social platform.
“I have just learned that the very Biased, Trump Hating Judge in D.C., who should have RECUSED herself due to her blatant and open loathing of your favorite President, ME, has reimposed a GAG ORDER which will put me at a disadvantage against my prosecutorial and political opponents,” he posted separately.
“This order, according to many legal scholars, is unthinkable!” Trump said. “It illegally and unconstitutionally takes away my First Amendment Right of Free Speech, in the middle of my campaign for President, where I am leading against BOTH Parties in the Polls.
“Few can believe this is happening, but I will appeal. How can they tell the leading candidate that he, and only he, is seriously restricted from campaigning in a free and open manner? It will not stand!”
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan refused to lift the gag order, prompting Trump to claim that his First Amendment rights were being violated.
“Defendant has not made a strong showing that he is likely to succeed on the merits,” she wrote. “As the court has explained, the First Amendment rights of participants in criminal proceedings must yield, when necessary, to the orderly administration of justice—a principle reflected in Supreme Court precedent, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Local Criminal Rules.”
The order prohibits Trump from making public statements targeting the special prosecutor, defense counsel, court staff, or potential witnesses.
Judge Chutkan defended the order, stating that it was necessary to protect the integrity of the judicial proceedings and prevent witness intimidation. Trump plans to appeal the decision.
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