Trump's threatening post flagged by U.S. prosecutors to judge (updated)

WaFd

05/08/2023 06:45

(Adds judge denying Trump request for extension of time to
respond, paragraph 6)
    By Joseph Ax
       Aug 4 (Reuters) - 
    U.S. prosecutors flagged a threatening social media post
from Donald Trump in a late-night court filing on Friday,
arguing that it suggests he might intimidate witnesses by
improperly disclosing confidential evidence received from the
government.
    On his Truth Social site on Friday, the former president
wrote, "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU!" A day
earlier, he pleaded not guilty to charges that he orchestrated a
criminal conspiracy to try to reverse his 2020 election loss to
Democrat Joe Biden. 
    Meanwhile, in Georgia, where other prosecutors are
investigating Trump's efforts to overturn election results in
that state, authorities tightened security around the Fulton
County courthouse in Atlanta. That city has been preparing for
the possible announcement of what would be Trump's fourth
criminal indictment this year.
    In the filing in Washington federal court, the office of
Special Counsel Jack Smith said Trump's social media post raised
concerns that he might publicly reveal secret material, such as
grand jury transcripts, obtained from prosecutors. 
    It sought a protective order prohibiting Trump and his
lawyers from sharing any discovery materials with unauthorized
people.
    On Saturday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan gave Trump
until 5 p.m. on Monday to respond. Trump's attorneys asked for
three more days to prepare their response but Chutkan quickly
denied the request. Chutkan added she will determine whether a
hearing is needed after reviewing Trump's response.
        Under the process known as discovery, prosecutors must
provide defendants with the evidence against them so they can
prepare their defense.
    Without a protective order, Trump could begin issuing public
posts using grand jury transcripts or other material that "could
have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect
the fair administration of justice in this case," prosecutors
wrote in their filing. They added Trump has a history of
attacking judges, attorneys and witnesses in other cases against
him.
    At his arraignment on Thursday, Trump swore not to
intimidate witnesses or communicate with them without legal
counsel present.
        Protective orders are routine in cases involving
confidential documents, but prosecutors said it was particularly
important to restrict public dissemination given Trump's social
media statements.
    A Trump spokesperson issued a statement defending the former
president's social media post and attacking people dubbed
"Republicans in Name Only" or RINOs.
    "The Truth post cited is the definition of political speech,
and was in response to the RINO, China-loving, dishonest special
interest groups and super PAC's," the statement said. 
    
    SECURITY AROUND ATLANTA COURT 
    For at least the next two weeks, officials are locking down
security around the courthouse in Atlanta. Fulton County
District Attorney Fani Willis has indicated she plans to bring
charges in that investigation within weeks.
    While the downtown court building will remain open,
officials are closing surrounding roads to general traffic and
have told most employees to work from home, the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution reported. Magistrate court hearings,
typically held for minor criminal and civil cases, will be
conducted virtually.
    The sheriff's office has canceled all time off for the next
few weeks and police are working 12-hour shifts, the AJC
reported. Orange barricades began appearing around the
courthouse last month, as officials prepared for potential
demonstrations should Trump be indicted in the coming weeks.  
    Trump has pleaded not guilty in two other criminal cases. He
faces federal charges in Miami for allegedly retaining
classified documents after leaving office and obstructing
justice, and New York state charges in Manhattan for allegedly
falsifying business records to hide hush money payments to a
porn star.
    The former president has capitalized on his indictments
since the first charges were filed in April, increasing his lead
in the Republican nomination contest over his closest rival,
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. 
    Trump has solidified his status as front-runner despite his
growing array of legal troubles, public opinion polls show, but
about half of Republicans would not vote for Trump if convicted
of a felony, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
    Trump has portrayed all of the investigations as part of a
political witch hunt intended to stymie his 2024 campaign.

 (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by David
Shepardson, Joel Schectman, Eric Beech and Gursimran Kaur;
Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Daniel Wallis and David
Gregorio)
 ((joseph.ax@thomsonreuters.com; 1-917-848-0813;))