Special counsel Jack Smith has accused former president Trump of trying to intimidate his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows and decided to ask a federal judge to reimpose a gag order on Trump.
The temporary suspension of the partial gag order regarding the election interference case in Washington D.C., has allowed Trump to “capitalize” on supposed witness intimidation which sends “an unmistakable and threatening message to a foreseeable witness in this case,” says special counsel Jack Smith.
“In the few days since the administrative stay has been in place, the defendant has returned to the very sort of targeting that the Order prohibits, including attempting to intimidate and influence foreseeable witnesses, and commenting on the substance of their testimony,” Smith’s legal team wrote in a new court filing on Wednesday.
After reports of Trump’s former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for testimony against the former president, Trump made numerous statements on social media blasting Meadows and the special counsel investigation.
“I don’t think Mark Meadows would lie about the Rigged and Stollen 2020 Presidential Election merely for getting IMMUNITY against Prosecution (PERSECUTION!) by Deranged Prosecutor, Jack Smith,” Trump posted. “BUT, when you really think about it, after being hounded like a dog for three years, told you’ll be going to jail for the rest of your life, your money and your family will be forever gone, and we’re not at all interested in exposing those that did the RIGGING — If you say BAD THINGS about that terrible “MONSTER,” DONALD J. TRUMP, we won’t put you in prison, you can keep your family and your wealth, and, perhaps, if you can make up some really horrible “STUFF” a out him, we may very well erect a statue of you in the middle of our decaying and now very violent Capital, Washington, D.C.”
“Some people would make that deal, but they are weaklings and cowards, and so bad for the future our Failing Nation,” he wrote. “I don’t think that Mark Meadows is one of them, but who really knows?”
Trump added, “Mark Meadows NEVER told me that allegations of significant fraud (about the RIGGED Election!) were baseless. He certainly didn’t say that in his book!”
The gag order imposed by Judge Tanya Chutkan was on temporary hold as Trump’s legal team appealed the ruling restricting his freedom of speech. If the gag order was still in place, Trump would not have been able to directly name Mark Meadows or target him on social media in any manner.
