Former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a courtroom break while testifying in his fraud trial in New York City, October 25, 2023.
Timothy A. Clary | AFP | Getty Images
Federal appeals court temporarily lifts gag order donald trump It was the latest development in a legal battle in a federal election interference lawsuit filed in Washington on Friday. Restrictions on former presidents’ speeches.
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling put the gag order on hold to give judges time to consider President Trump’s request for a long-term suspension of the restrictions while the appeals proceed. The order says the suspension “should not in any way be construed as a judgment on the merits” of Trump’s bid.
The court set oral argument for November 20th.
The gag order is re-imposed on Sunday by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkanprohibits public speech targeting prosecutors, court officials, and potential witnesses in cases that accuse President Trump of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election that he lost to President Joe Biden. .
it is most severe limitation The court heard speeches by a leading Republican presidential primary candidate and criminal defendant in four separate cases. While it is not unheard of for gag orders to be issued in high-profile cases, the court has never before challenged whether a presidential candidate can restrict speech.
Prosecutors said Trump’s inflammatory comments about those involved in the case could undermine public confidence in the justice system and influence witnesses who may be called to testify.
Trump’s lawyers say they intend to go to the Supreme Court if necessary to challenge the unconstitutional restrictions on Trump’s political speech. The defense said prosecutors have not presented evidence that potential witnesses or others felt threatened by the former president’s social media posts.
The D.C. Court of Appeals could ultimately uphold the gag order or find that the restrictions imposed by Chutkan went too far. In any event, the issue will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court, but there is no guarantee the justices will take it up.
