Former President Donald Trump uses social media to make his voice heard more than any other current political figure. He communicates plainly and to the point on a near-daily basis, using his own words rather than the language typically employed in press releases.

Regarding the numerous legal attacks against him, Trump has stated repeatedly that his actions are lawful. This week’s indictment by Special Council Jack Smith in Washington, D.C., and Trump’s judicial appearance in Washington, D.C., prompted the former president to post a threat: “If you go after me, I’ll go after you.”

It began when news emerged Friday evening that Smith had filed a request for a protective order in response to the Trump Truth social post, arguing that Trump posts could have a chilling effect on witnesses, as reported by Mediate.

Smith penned the following in the motion:

The proposed order only seeks to prevent the unlawful dissemination or use of discovery materials, including by the general public. Because the defendant has previously made public statements on social media about witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with pending legal proceedings against him, such a restriction is particularly essential in this case. And in recent days, the defendant has issued multiple posts regarding this case, either explicitly or implicitly, including the following, which the defendant posted just hours ago:

If the defendant were to issue public posts containing discovery-obtained information, such as grand jury transcripts, it could have a chilling effect on witnesses and impair the administration of justice in this case.

If this reminds you of January 6, when Trump encouraged his supporters to “go peacefully and make their voices heard,” the answer is yes. Every day, thousands of social media posts are made with personal opinions and statements, but Smith singles out Trump for being excessive when viewers interpret the statement as Trump removing his gloves after repeated assaults.

Althought the Trump campaign later defended the post and denied it was intended as a threat, claiming the message was for “the RINO, China-loving, dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs, like the ones funded by the Koch brothers and the Club for No Growth,” Smith went even further.

According to Mediate, Smith’s legal team submitted a proposed order for Federal District Judge Tanya Chutkan to sign, which reads in part:

The defendant and defense counsel shall not disclose the Materials or their contents directly or indirectly to any person or entity other than persons employed to assist the defense, persons who are interviewed as potential witnesses, and counsel for potential witnesses (collectively, “Authorized Persons”). Potential witnesses and their counsel may be shown copies of the Materials as required for defense preparation, but they may not retain copies without the court’s permission.

Saturday, Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered Trump’s legal team to submit a response and their own proposed order. The adjudicator composed:

More on this story via The Republic Brief:

MINUTE ORDER as to DONALD J. TRUMP: It is hereby ORDERED that by 5:00 PM on August 7, 2023, Defendant shall file a response to the government’s 10 Motion for Protective Order, stating Defendant’s position on the Motion. If Defendant disagrees with any portion of the government’s proposed Protective Order, ECF No. 10-1, his response shall include a revised version of that Protective Order with any modifications in redline. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 08/05/2023 CONTINUE READING…