Lawyers for former President Donald Trump are slamming prosecutors' request for a narrow gag order in his 2020 election subversion case in Washington, calling it an effort to “unconstitutionally silence” his political speech.

       In court papers filed late Monday, attorneys for Trump urge U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to deny the proposal to bar the Republican ex-president from making inflammatory and intimidating comments about witnesses, lawyers and other people involved in the criminal case.

       Trump's attorneys call the request a “desperate effort at censorship” that would prevent him from telling his side of the story on the campaign trial as he runs to retake the White House in 2024.

       "The prosecution may not like President’s Trump’s entirely valid criticisms, but neither it nor this Court are the filter for what the public may hear," his legal team wrote. "If the prosecution wishes to avoid criticism for abusing its power, the solution is simple: stop abusing its power. The Constitution allows no alternative."

       In seeking the order earlier this month, special counsel Jack Smith's team pointed to what it said is a pattern of “false and inflammatory” statements by Trump about the case as well as comments meant to intimidate or harass people he believes are potential witnesses against him. Prosecutors told the judge that a “narrow, well-defined” order was necessary to preserve the integrity of the case and to avoid prejudicing potential jurors.

       Related Trump ‘wants’ Glock pistol he can’t legally purchase Trump shoutout to Lindsey Graham is drowned out by boos at South Carolina rally Trump thinks US veterans ‘don’t have cellphones’

       Trump's lawyers said prosecutors haven't proved why such an order would be necessary, saying that his social media posts haven't intimidated any possible witnesses and that there's no real concern his comments would taint the jury pool.

       Trump's lawyers have also asked the judge to recuse herself from the case, saying her past public statements about him and his connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol call into question whether she can be fair.

       There's a high bar for recusal, and Smith’s team has said there is no valid basis to have the judge removed from the case.

       More about Donald Trump AP Lawyers Washington Jack Smith Republican White House President

       1/ 1Trump lawyers say prosecutors want to 'silence' him with gag order in his federal 2020 election case

       Trump lawyers say prosecutors want to 'silence' him with gag order in his federal 2020 election case Election 2024 Trump

       Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

       Promoted stories

       株式会社ファーマフーズ

       【アマゾンで爆売れ】明治薬品が开発した简単に歯を白くする方法【初回约52%OFF】明治薬品监修の歯磨き粉がアマゾン爆売れで大反响株式会社ファーマフーズ| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       ファーマフーズ

       「待ち望んだ」ニューモまさかの限定価格ファーマフーズ| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       ホソカワミクロン化粧品

       【抜け毛にゾッ！】脱毛予防したい方必见の育毛剤ホソカワミクロン化粧品| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       ？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

       Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

       Subscribe

       Already subscribed? Log in