Donald Trump was slapped with a gag order on Monday, with a federal judge limiting what the former president can say about special counsel Jack Smith’s efforts to prosecute him for questioning the 2020 presidential election outcome.
The order restricts the leading Republican presidential candidate’s ability to publicly criticize the special counsel and his staff, or potential witnesses.
“This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses. This is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice,” Judge Tanya Chutkan said. The Jamaican-born Barack Obama appointee added, “His presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to vilify public servants who are simply doing their jobs.”
Trump supporter Vernon Jones took to X after the ruling to suggest to his followers that if Trump can’t criticize Smith, they could fill the void.
“It’s a damn shame Special prosecutor Jack Smith bitching about Trump telling the truth about him, goes and complains to the judge and gets a gag order on Trump,” he tweeted. “Since Trump can’t talk about that low down and dirty Jack Smith is, let’s all of us do it!”
“JACK SMITH IS A DIRTY LOW DOWN ABUSIVE AND LYING CROOKED PROSECUTOR,” he added, in all caps.
It’s a damn shame Special prosecutor Jack Smith bitching about Trump telling the truth about him, goes and complains to the judge and gets a gag order on Trump. Since Trump can’t talk about that low down and dirty Jack Smith is, let’s all of us do it!
JACK SMITH IS A DIRTY LOW… pic.twitter.com/kqKoILWDE1
— Vernon Jones (@VernonForGA) October 16, 2023
Jones was not alone in that sentiment… here is a quick sampling of responses to the story as seen on X:
This corrupt judge just prohibited President Trump from “publicly targeting” Jack Smith.
No worries. I’ll publicly target him and all those around him, and so will millions of others.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) October 16, 2023
— (@DobermanStrong) October 16, 2023
Jack Smith KNOWS his corrupt Witch Hunt against President Trump is GARBAGE, and his only hope is ERASING Trump’s 1st Amendment rights. It’s textbook ELECTION INTERFERENCE!
— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) October 16, 2023
President Trump might not be allowed to say this, but I can… Fvck Jack Smith, POS.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) October 17, 2023
The 1st Amendment right to free speech protects the defendant—not the government.
The 6th Amendment right to a fair trial protects the defendant—not the government.
A gag order protects the defendant—not the government.
Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan are truly dangerous. https://t.co/BhM5WBBxE5
— Mike Davis (@mrddmia) October 17, 2023
Trump is barred from saying it.
Say it with me.
Jack Smith is a THUG! pic.twitter.com/GCT2xrwTed
— .*Funkytown™*. (@01Funkytown) October 16, 2023
If Donald Trump is no longer ‘allowed’ to say it, I will:
Jack Smith is a THUG and Judge Chutkan is corrupt as hell!
— Alexander Sheppard (@NotAlexSheppard) October 16, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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