WASHINGTON – The Justice Department has taken action in response to former President Donald Trump’s recent online post, perceived as a promise of revenge against anyone who comes after him. Prosecutors filed a request with U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday, asking for a protective order in the criminal case against Trump, a day after he pleaded not guilty to charges related to attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss and obstructing the peaceful transition of power.
The proposed protective order, different from a “gag order,” aims to limit the public disclosure of information by Trump and his legal team about the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. Prosecutors highlighted the significance of such an order, particularly due to Trump’s history of issuing public statements on social media regarding individuals associated with legal matters pending against him.
One such post on Trump’s Truth Social platform earlier on Friday alarmed prosecutors. In all capital letters, Trump wrote, “If you go after me, I’m coming after you.” Prosecutors said they are ready to hand over a substantial amount of evidence, including sensitive and confidential information, to Trump’s legal team. However, they cautioned that if Trump were to publicly share grand jury transcripts or other evidence provided by the Justice Department, it could have a detrimental impact on witnesses or impede the fair administration of justice in the case.
The proposed protective order seeks to restrict Trump and his legal team from disclosing government-provided materials to anyone except individuals on his legal team, potential witnesses, the witnesses’ attorneys, or court-approved individuals. Stricter limits would apply to sensitive materials, including grand jury witness testimony and materials obtained through sealed search warrants.
The recently unsealed indictment accuses Trump of conspiring with allies to spread falsehoods and devise schemes aimed at overturning his election loss to President Joe Biden, as his legal challenges floundered in court. The charges against Trump include conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and conspiracy to obstruct Congress’ certification of Biden’s electoral victory.
After his court appearance, Trump decried the case as a “persecution” designed to damage his 2024 presidential campaign, labeling it a “very sad day for America.” This marks the third criminal case brought against the early front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Notably, it is the first case attempting to hold Trump accountable for his actions during the tumultuous weeks between his election loss and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.
Special Counsel Jack Smith has indicated that prosecutors intend to pursue a “speedy trial” in the election case and are expected to propose a trial date in the coming week. Trump is already scheduled to stand trial in March for the New York case related to hush-money payments during the 2016 campaign and in May for the federal case in Florida involving classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
