The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case in Washington has reimposed a gag order barring him from making public comments targeting prosecutors, court staff and potential witnesses.
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan had temporarily lifted the gag order as she considered the former president’s request to keep it on hold while he challenges the restrictions on his speech in higher courts. Mr Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing in the case, has made a central part of his 2024 campaign for president vilifying special counsel Jack Smith and others involved the criminal cases against him, casting himself as the victim of a politicised justice system.
Mr Smith’s team said Mr Trump took advantage of the lifting of the gag order to “send an unmistakable and threatening message” to his former chief of staff Mark Meadows.