Prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office are seeking a protective order after Donald Trump posted an apparent threat on Truth Social on Friday. Citing the former president’s all-caps declaration, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” prosecutors said his posts could have a “harmful chilling effect” on witnesses in the case against him if he were to start publicly posting information obtained in discovery. The DOJ is therefore asking a judge for a protective order blocking the “improper dissemination or use of discovery materials.” Prosecutors noted in their filing that the order is especially important since “the defendant has previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys and others associated with legal matters pending against him.”

    • ulkesh@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      And if it were literally anyone else, they would have been put in prison while awaiting trial due to their clear and present danger of inciting violence and retaliation.

      I do not understand why everyone walks on eggshells around this asshole.

      • Intelligence_Gap@beehaw.org
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        1 year ago

        At the very least with this approach when he’s found guilty there will be no argument for impropriety or unfair treatment that could be used to get him out.

      • Snipe_AT@lemmy.atay.dev
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        1 year ago

        We have to be especially careful with people with significant resources. Any small mistakes caused by moving quickly can be leveraged for less consequences do to technicalities. In these cases, being reactionary is a detriment.

    • randomwords@midwest.social
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      1 year ago

      Yes being in jail while awaiting trial is very common for people who behave badly on bail or are poor.

      He should be treated the same as everyone else and await his trial in jail for his poor behavior and for being a flight risk.

      • StringTheory@beehaw.org
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        1 year ago

        I mean, the guy has a private plane and properties in foreign counties and friends in places out of the US’s reach. Certainly more of a flight risk than most folks…