According to a report by The Hill on Monday, October 30, 2023, former President Donald Trump has vowed to appeal the gag order that was reimposed on him by a federal judge in his election interference case, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The gag order, which prevents Trump from making certain public statements about the witnesses and prosecutors involved in the case, was reinstated by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Sunday, nine days after she temporarily lifted it to allow Trump and his lawyers to appeal the ruling.
Trump reacted to the decision by launching a lengthy social media rant on his new platform, Truth Social, where he accused Chutkan of being a “very Biased, Trump-Hating Judge” and claimed that the gag order would put him at a “disadvantage” in his legal battles and on the campaign trail.
He also repeated his argument that the gag order violates his First Amendment rights of free speech and said that many legal scholars agree with him.
“This order, according to many legal scholars, is unthinkable! It illegally and unconstitutionally takes away my First Amendment Right of Free Speech, in the middle of my campaign for President, where I am leading against BOTH Parties in the Polls,” he wrote.
“Few can believe this is happening, but I will appeal. How can they tell the leading candidate that he, and only he, is seriously restricted from campaigning in a free and open manner? It will not stand!” he added.
The election interference case stems from Trump’s alleged attempts to pressure Georgia officials to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in his favor.
He is accused of soliciting election fraud, making false statements, and violating the civil rights of voters and election workers.
Chutkan issued the gag order on Oct. 16, citing the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process and the safety of the parties involved.
She said that Trump’s public statements could prejudice potential jurors, intimidate witnesses and prosecutors, and interfere with the administration of justice.
She also noted that Trump has a history of making false and inflammatory statements about the case and the people involved in it and that he has a large and loyal following that could act on his words.
The gag order prohibits Trump from making any public statements or comments about the case, the witnesses, or the prosecutors, except for those made in court filings or proceedings.
It also applies to any agents or representatives acting on Trump’s behalf.
Trump’s lawyers have argued that the gag order is an unprecedented and excessive restriction on Trump’s right to free speech and that it violates his due process rights.
They have also claimed that Chutkan is biased against Trump and has shown hostility towards him in her rulings.
They have filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, seeking to overturn or modify the gag order.
They have also asked for an expedited review of their appeal, citing the urgency of the matter.
Trump has not been formally charged with any crimes in the case, but he faces a possible criminal indictment by a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia.
He has denied any wrongdoing and has called the case a “witch hunt” orchestrated by his political enemies.