Former president Donald Trump arrives at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 3, 2023 after appearing in the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House. Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election during a court appearance in Washington, DC.
Tom Brenner | The Washington Post | Getty Images
US prosecutors flagged a threatening social media post from Donald Trump in a late-night court filing on Friday, arguing it suggested he could intimidate witnesses by making improper disclosures. of confidential evidence received from the government.
On his Truth Social site on Friday, the former president wrote, “IF YOU FOLLOW ME, I FOLLOW YOU!” A day earlier, he pleaded not guilty to charges that he orchestrated a criminal conspiracy to try to reverse his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, in Georgia, where other prosecutors are investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn that state’s election results, authorities tightened security around the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta. That city is bracing for the possible announcement of what would be Trump’s fourth criminal indictment this year.
In a filing in Washington federal court, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office said Trump’s social media post raised concerns that he could publicly disclose classified material, such as grand jury transcripts, obtained from prosecutors.
It sought a protective order barring Trump and his lawyers from sharing any discovery materials with unauthorized persons.
On Saturday, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan gave Trump until 5pm on Monday to respond. Trump’s lawyers asked for three days to prepare their response but Chutkan quickly denied the request. Chutkan added that he would determine whether a hearing was necessary after reviewing Trump’s response.
Under a process known as discovery, prosecutors must provide defendants with evidence against them so they can prepare their defense.
Without a protective order, Trump could begin issuing public posts using grand jury transcripts or other material that “could have a prejudicial effect on witnesses or affect the fair administration of justice in this case, ” prosecutors wrote in their filing. They added that Trump has a history of attacking judges, lawyers and witnesses in other cases against him.
At his arraignment Thursday, Trump vowed not to intimidate witnesses or speak to them without legal counsel.
Protective orders are routine in cases involving confidential documents, but prosecutors said it was particularly important to restrict public dissemination because of Trump’s social media statements.
A Trump spokesperson issued a statement defending the former president’s social media post and attacking people labeled “Republicans in Name Only” or RINOs.
“The Truth post cited is the definition of political speech, and is in response to RINO, China-loving, dishonest special interest groups and super PACs,” the statement said.
Security around the Atlanta courthouse
For at least the next two weeks, officials are closing security around the courthouse in Atlanta. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has indicated she plans to file charges in that investigation within weeks.
While the downtown courthouse will remain open, officials are closing surrounding roads to general traffic and telling most employees to work from home, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Magistrate court hearings, normally held for minor criminal and civil cases, will be held virtually.
The sheriff’s office has canceled all breaks for the next several weeks and police are working 12-hour shifts, the AJC reported. Orange barricades began appearing around the courthouse last month, as officials prepared for potential demonstrations should Trump be impeached in the coming weeks.
Trump pleaded not guilty to two other criminal charges. He faces federal charges in Miami for allegedly retaining classified documents after leaving office and obstructing justice, and New York state charges in Manhattan for allegedly forging business record to hide hush money payments to a porn star.
The former president has used his accusations since the first charges were filed in April, increasing his lead in the Republican nomination contest against his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Trump has solidified his front-runner status despite his growing array of legal troubles, public opinion polls show, but roughly half of Republicans would not vote for Trump if convicted of a felony, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Trump has described all the investigations as part of a political witch hunt intended to derail his 2024 campaign.