Prosecutors on Friday night called the judge’s attention to a social media post from Donald Trump — made hours earlier — in which they said the former president appeared to announce that he was “going after” those he deems responsible for the massive series of legal challenges he faces. Faces.
Attorneys from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team said the post from Trump referred “specifically or by implication” to those involved in his criminal case for attempting to sabotage the 2020 election.
in Prosecute Shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday, senior special counsels Molly Gaston and Thomas Windom alerted the judge in Trump’s latest criminal case — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan — to a combative post Trump sent earlier in the day.
“If you chase me, I will come after you!” Trump wrote in all official caps Friday afternoon on Truth Social, which is run by a media company he co-owns.
Prosecutors said Trump’s post raised concerns that he might improperly share evidence in the case on his social media account, and urged that he order any evidence prosecutors turn over to his defense team to remain public.
“Everything the proposed order seeks to prevent is the improper publication or use, including to the public, of Discovery Materials,” Gaston and Windom wrote. “Such a restriction is particularly important in this case because the defendant had previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others related to legal matters pending against him. … And in recent days, in connection with this case, the defendant has made multiple posts – either specifically or by implication – including the following, which was posted by Defendant only hours earlier.”
Smith’s office has not sought a gag order in any of the criminal cases it is pursuing against Trump: one in Florida centered on his keeping classified documents and the other in Washington over his efforts to interfere with the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Friday night’s filing makes no request to block Trump or his attorneys. from discussing the capital’s issue publicly or with the media.
However, prosecutors in that case have indicated that they are willing to share a “significant” volume of evidence with Trump once Chutkan agrees to an order governing the handling of evidence. Attorneys for both sides, Chutkan, are scheduled to appear in court on August 28 to discuss setting a trial date. It’s not clear if Trump’s post will prompt her to make more immediate efforts to enforce the protective order or enforce a gag order, which can be issued under federal court rules in D.C.
Trump’s Truth Social post came just one day after he swore in federal court that he would make no effort to influence or retaliate against witnesses or take any other action that might impede the administration of justice in his case. Asked by an examining judge on Tuesday to verify his compliance with those instructions, Trump acknowledged and said he would.
The Truth Social post did not specifically mention any witnesses or court personnel, but Trump has often used his social media megaphone to attack prosecutors and judges in criminal cases he faces.
Trump’s legal team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
