On Friday, the special prosecutor Jack Smith, from the Department of Justice, lodged an appeal to the federal judge responsible for ex-President Trump’s electoral fraud case, asking for a safeguarding measure for evidence due to threats made on social media.
The former president had earlier posted a message on Truth Social stating, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” This action has sparked disapproval, with an ex-communication officer for Trump labeling it as “unsettling” and an act of “threatening witnesses”.
Smith contended that it is crucial for Trump’s case to have a rigid injunction that prohibits Trump from disclosing information from discovery files and proof in public.
He wrote in the legal document, “A limit of this sort is especially relevant in this case because the accused has previously made public declarations on social media about witnesses, judges, lawyers, and others involved with his pending legal issues.”
Smith further stated that if the accused began making public posts using details, like grand jury transcripts, obtained from the discovery here, it could potentially intimidate witnesses or negatively impact the just execution of law in this case.
The prosecution team alleges that their efforts to negotiate a safeguarding measure with Trump’s legal representatives have been unproductive, slowing down the provision of documents to the defense.
Smith wrote, “The government’s intention is to furnish the defendant with the discovery at the earliest possible time, including specific discovery which the defendant is not currently eligible to receive during this phase of the trial.”
According to Smith, the prosecution has offered two versions of the safeguarding order to Trump’s legal team, both of which were rejected. The defense team also presented their version, which the special prosecutor has labeled as insufficient.
The Trump campaign has refuted the claim that the post on Truth Social was an intimidation to the witnesses of his criminal trials.
The campaign spokesperson commented, “The referenced post from Truth Social is the epitome of political speech and was in response to the RINO, China-supporting, deceptive special interest groups and Super PACs, like those financed by the Koch brothers and the Club for No Growth.”
During a media appearance on Thursday, Trump’s lawyer, John Lauro, berated Smith’s team for rushing the case.
He stated, “This feels like a speeding train with little regard for justice.”
