(ConservativeSense.com) – Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigations into the conduct of Donald Trump, has rejected the former President’s claim that his First Amendment rights are being infringed. The DOJ asked US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to impose an order clarifying evidence that Mr. Trump is not permitted to address publicly.
Trump’s legal team responded that the order infringed on the former President’s Constitutional rights and his ability to campaign for the White House in 2024. His attorneys made a counterproposal, asking that the order only cover “sensitive” issues.
The row broke out after Trump wrote on his Truth Social media account, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” Smith said the former President could not be trusted not to intimidate witnesses unless an order was in place to prevent him from speaking publicly about the evidence in the case.
Special Counsel Smith rejected Mr. Trump’s counterproposal, saying the order he requested was standard and reasonable.
Donald Trump pleaded not guilty at the Elijah Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, DC, on August 3. He was charged with four counts: conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
The indictment against the former President alleges that he knew he lost the 2020 Presidential election but conspired to prevent the transfer of power. It also states that for months after his apparent defeat, he “spread lies” that he had won the election.
Outside the courthouse, Mr. Trump spoke to reporters and said it was a very sad day for America and a very sad day for him to see the “filth and decay” of Washington, DC. He said the city was not the one he left behind and had fallen into disrepair.
Regarding the indictment, he said, “This is the persecution of a political opponent; this was never supposed to happen in America.”
Copyright 2023, ConservativeSense.com
