2023-08-05 19:26:29
After his court date in Washington, a statement in the digital media brought new legal trouble to former US President Donald Trump. “If you follow me, I will follow you,” wrote the Republican on the online platform Truth Social, which he co-founded, on Friday, just one day after the indictment against him was read out in the American capital.
Special Counsel Jack Smith believes Trump’s comments are directed against witnesses, judges and attorneys involved in the January 6, 2021 criminal case against Trump involving attempted voter fraud and the storming of the Capitol. According to Smith, Trump’s statement is evidence that Trump cannot be relied upon to keep secret confidential information disclosed to him during the course of the proceedings.
A special counsel motion filed with the court Friday night said there was a risk Trump would use evidence confronted with him to intimidate or threaten witnesses. Smith therefore asked the court to quickly show Trump and his lawyers limits for handling sensitive information.
Trump has until Monday to respond
The judge in charge ordered on Saturday that Trump must comment on Smith’s position by Monday afternoon. A spokesman for Trump had recently said in a statement that Trump’s contribution to Truth Social was nothing more than “political speech” and had nothing to do with the case.
Trump was reminded during the indictment on Thursday as part of normal court procedure that it is a criminal offense to try to influence a jury, to threaten a witness or other persons or to bribe them.
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Trump sees the prosecution against him as politically motivated. The day after the court hearing in Washington, he used both Truth Social and a campaign speech that evening to rant extensively against the crackdown.
The 77-year-old politician, who wants to run again in the 2024 presidential election, is accused of orchestrating a conspiracy against the state. Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday.
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