In a fiery turn of events, the relentless pursuit against former President Donald Trump by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has reached new heights. On Aug. 4, Smith dared to request a “protective order” against Trump, all because of a straightforward social media post where Trump declared, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”
Smith’s audacious move to curtail Trump’s freedom of speech is a testament to the lengths the opposition will go to silence those they disagree with. Smith’s plea to U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan aims to muzzle Trump, preventing him from sharing details about the case. Smith’s reasoning? A baseless claim that Trump’s posts might “influence jurors” or intimidate witnesses. Yet, isn’t it the essence of democracy to allow free speech, especially for a former President?
In a swift response, a spokesperson for Trump clarified that the post was a political statement, not a direct retaliation against Smith. The camp was a clear message to the RINO, China-affiliated, and deceptive special interest groups continuously targeting Trump.
Judge Chutkan, in a move that seems to favor Smith, has given Trump’s legal team a tight deadline of Aug. 7 to respond. Despite Trump’s attorneys seeking a reasonable extension to Aug. 10, their request was denied. In their typical fashion, Smith’s team labeled the extension as an “unnecessary delay.” The ball is now in Trump’s court to either accept or counter this overreaching protective order.
The backdrop to this is the recent indictment against Trump, which many see as a politically motivated witch hunt. Trump’s post came a day after he pleaded not guilty to the 2020 presidential election charges. These charges, which include conspiracy and obstruction, have been widely criticized by legal experts and political commentators as a blatant attempt to persecute a former president.
Prominent figures like 2024 presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy have called out this injustice. Ramaswamy boldly declared his intent to pardon Trump if elected. In a Fox News interview, even Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz stated that the indictments lack merit. He emphasized that any case against a former president should be beyond reproach, and this one doesn’t meet the mark.
Trump has voiced concerns about receiving a fair trial in Washington, suggesting a move to a more impartial venue. His supporters are wary of Judge Chutkan, an Obama appointee, who has previously ruled against Trump. The fact that she once worked at a firm that employed Hunter Biden only adds to the skepticism.
In a recent twist, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who has turned against Trump, insinuated that his post was akin to witness intimidation. Such claims only fuel the fire, further polarizing an already contentious situation.
Smith’s latest filing reveals his intent to share case details with Trump’s attorneys, but only if the court issues a “protective order.” He argues that the documents are “sensitive,” but one can’t help but wonder if this is just another tactic to keep Trump in the dark.
This ongoing saga is a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to undermine and silence those they oppose. The fight for justice and preserving free speech is more crucial now than ever.