Donald Trump: Judge reinstates gag order in election fraud trial

GEL Donald Trump: Judge reinstates gag order in election fraud trial Article by Johannes Korge • 7 hours Donald Trump should keep himself verbally in check - or must expect consequences: This is how the announcement of a federal judge in the trial surrounding the 2020 election can be summarized. The protest from his lawyers didn't help either. Donald Trump is usually unimpressed by such orders. But in the criminal trial for attempted election fraud, the former US President is now urgently required to moderate his choice of words. A federal judge on Sunday reinstated the gag order she had imposed on Trump in the Washington trial over his 2020 election loss to US President Joe Biden, trial documents show. The order was temporarily lifted on October 20 after Trump's lawyers filed an appeal. The lawsuit accuses Trump of unlawfully interfering in the vote count and blocking Congress' certification of his loss to Biden in 2020. The injunction prohibits Trump from verbally attacking prosecutors or witnesses. In the past, Trump had described, among other things, special prosecutor Jack Smith as a “deranged lunatic” and a “thug.” There are four criminal cases pending against Trump, in each of which he made disparaging comments about prosecutors. Trump had repeatedly ignored similar announcements from the courts in the past. Because of the enormous prominence of the person involved, it can be problematic for the court to punish the contempt. Especially since Trump immediately portrays any punishment as politically motivated - and also uses it to appeal for donations. The process comes in the middle of the election campaign Charges were filed against the Republican in the case at the beginning of August. He is accused, among other things, of initiating a conspiracy against the United States. Trump denies all allegations and portrays himself as the victim of a politically motivated campaign. In speeches and on his social network Truth Social, the Republican regularly rails against the judiciary and former companions. The trial in Washington is scheduled to begin on March 4, 2024 – and would therefore coincide with the election campaign. It is one of four criminal proceedings against Trump, who wants to run for the Republicans again in the presidential election next November.