Judge Declines to Bar Trump from Making Comments about Law Enforcement
By Sarah N. Lynch
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A federal judge on Tuesday declined a request from prosecutors to impose a gag order preventing Donald Trump from making inflammatory comments about law enforcement. This decision comes after Trump’s campaign falsely claimed that the FBI had been authorized to assassinate him during a search of his Florida estate.
Special Counsel Jack Smith had urged U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to modify the conditions of Trump’s release, citing concerns that Trump’s remarks could incite threats, violence, and harassment against the FBI and trial witnesses.
In response, Trump and his legal team opposed the request, accusing the prosecutors of rushing to file on a Friday night before a holiday weekend without adequate notice for the defense team. They argued that the prosecutors had acted in bad faith.
Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump in 2020, criticized the Special Counsel’s handling of the matter, stating that the “conferral” process was lacking in substance and professional courtesy. She emphasized the importance of meaningful communication between the parties involved.
The court’s decision not to impose a gag order allows Trump to continue making comments about law enforcement without restriction. The case highlights the ongoing tension between the former president and the legal system.
(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Scott Malone)