Judge Chutkan Issues Gag Order in Criminal Case Against Former President Donald Trump Citing “Grave Threats

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has issued a gag order in the criminal case against former President Donald Trump, citing “grave threats” posed by his verbal and written attacks on participants in the judicial process.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued the three-page order on Tuesday, formalizing her ruling from the bench on Monday. The order prohibits all interested parties, including the parties and their counsel, from making any public statements that target the Special Counsel prosecuting the case, defense counsel, or court staff.

The gag order was issued in response to Trump’s continued attacks on individuals involved in the judicial process, including potential witnesses, prosecutors, and court staff. In her order, Judge Chutkan wrote that such attacks pose a “grave threat” to the judicial process.

In response to the gag order, attorneys for Trump filed a formal notice of appeal on Tuesday. The criminal case against Trump alleges he illegally tried to reverse the 2020 election results.

The gag order is the latest development in the ongoing criminal case against Trump. It remains to be seen how the order will affect the case and whether Trump’s attorneys will be successful in their appeal.