Judge Chutkan Asked to Impose Gag Order on Former President Donald Trump in Election Interference Case

A federal judge is being asked to impose a gag order on former President Donald Trump in connection with the election interference case brought against him. Special counsel Jack Smith has requested the order, citing Trump’s history of making “inflammatory public statements” that could influence potential jurors and intimidate witnesses.

The request was made in a redacted government filing released Friday, after an order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. The filing states that Trump has a “practice of issuing inflammatory public statements targeted at individuals or institutions that present an obstacle or challenge to him.”

The election interference case is one of four criminal cases the former president is facing, two of which are federal. Smith’s office is asking for a narrowly tailored gag order that would restrict Trump from making certain extrajudicial statements about the case.

The filing also alleges that Trump knows he “inspires others to perpetrate threats and violence.” It cites threats against individuals Trump has targeted, including the judge in the case against him and the special counsel’s office.

The request for a gag order comes as Trump continues to deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election and has hinted at a potential 2024 presidential run. It is unclear when Judge Chutkan will make a decision on the gag order.