**Donald Trump lashes out at potential trial witness William Barr at gala event**
Former president Donald Trump tested the boundaries of his gag order in the federal criminal case over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, making scathing remarks about his former attorney general, William Barr, during a Saturday night gala event in New York.
In his speech, Trump assailed Barr and said, “I make this commitment to you tonight: we will not have Bill Barr as our attorney general, is that OK? He was a coward. He was afraid of being impeached.”
The speech was delivered before an audience that included allies whom Trump is expected to tap for top justice department roles should he be re-elected next year. These allies included Kash Patel, Jeffrey Clark, and Boris Epshteyn.
The speech is perceived to have tested the restrictions of the gag order and cast doubt on Trump’s ability to avoid being held in contempt. While it remains unclear whether he directly violated the conditions of the gag order, Trump is determined to appeal to the US supreme court.
During the event, Trump also compared himself to Al Capone and expressed bitterness over his four criminal indictments, vowing for revenge. He referenced Steve Bannon and Raheem Kassam, two longtime associates, and signaled the return of his original allies to his orbit.
The speech brought attention to the ongoing legal battles and political tensions surrounding Trump’s presidency and potential re-election, setting the tone for what could be a contentious and high-stakes campaign in the coming years.