A federal appeals court temporarily lifted a gag order on Donald Trump in his federal election interference case in Washington on Friday — the latest twist in the legal fight over the restrictions on the former president’s speech.
Quick Read
- Temporary Lift on Gag Order: A federal appeals court has put a temporary hold on a gag order imposed on Donald Trump regarding his federal election interference case.
- Awaiting Appeals Consideration: The pause allows time for the court to consider Trump’s request to extend the halt on the gag order while his appeal continues.
- No Merits Ruling Yet: The temporary lift is not an indication of the court’s stance on the actual merits of Trump’s arguments against the gag order.
- Oral Arguments Scheduled: The court has set a date for oral arguments on the matter for November 20.
- Gag Order Details: The order, reinstated by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, prevents Trump from making public statements about prosecutors, court personnel, and potential witnesses.
- Unprecedented Restrictions: This gag order represents a significant and rare limitation on a major political figure’s freedom of speech, with implications for Trump’s presidential campaign.
- Prosecutors’ Concerns: Prosecutors argue that Trump’s public comments could jeopardize the judicial process and influence witnesses.
- Trump’s Legal Challenge: Trump’s defense team asserts that the restrictions are unconstitutional and plan to take the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.
- Lack of Intimidation Evidence: Trump’s lawyers argue that there is no proof that his statements have intimidated potential witnesses or affected the case.
- Potential Supreme Court Involvement: The D.C. appeals court’s future decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court, although it’s uncertain if the high court will choose to review the case.
the Associated Press has the story:
Appeals court temporarily lifts Trump’s gag order in Election case
Newslooks- (AP)
A federal appeals court temporarily lifted a gag order on Donald Trump in his federal election interference case in Washington on Friday — the latest twist in the legal fight over the restrictions on the former president’s speech.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision puts a hold on the gag order to give the judges time to consider Trump’s request for a longer pause on the restrictions while his appeals play out. The order says the temporary pause “should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits” of Trump’s bid.
The court set oral arguments for Nov. 20.
The gag order, which was reimposed on Sunday by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, bars Trump from making public statements targeting prosecutors, court staff and potential witnesses in the case accusing him of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election he lost to President Joe Biden.
It’s the most serious restriction a court has put on the speech of the GOP presidential primary frontrunner and criminal defendant in four separate cases. Gag orders are not unheard of in high-profile cases, but courts have never had to wrestle before with whether they can curtail the speech of a presidential candidate.
Prosecutors said Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric about those involved in the case threatens to undermine public confidence in the judicial system and influence potential witnesses who could be called to testify.
Trump’s lawyers say they will go to the Supreme Court, if necessary, to fight what they say are unconstitutional restrictions on his political speech. The defense has said prosecutors have provided no evidence that potential witnesses or anyone else felt intimidated by the former president’s social media posts.
The D.C. appeals court could ultimately uphold the gag order or find that the restrictions imposed by Chutkan went too far. Either way, the issue is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court, although there’s no guarantee the justices would take up the matter.
