Former US President Donald Trump has a number of pending court cases. Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America
Donald Trump attacked a judge overseeing his 2020 election bombing case just days after she threatened to speed up the trial if he used «inflammatory» rhetoric online.
The former president said in a post on his Truth Social app that Tanya Chutkan, a district judge in Washington, D.C., was «highly biased» and «clearly wants me behind bars» .
He added that the case against him was «VERY PRECAUTIONAL AND UNFAIR!»
Last week, Ms. Chutkan threatened to expedite the trial against Mr. Trump if he made statements that «could tarnish the jury.» or intimidate potential witnesses.”
The prosecutor's office demanded that the trial begin on 2 January. Trump himself has argued that any trial should be held after the 2024 presidential election.
Mr. Trump faces four charges in a case alleging he orchestrated a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 vote and keep himself in power.
Prosecutors investigate his involvement in the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riots , which followed the result and which he allegedly encouraged. and armed.
Mr. Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy against citizens' rights, obstruction of a formal hearing, and conspiracy to obstruct a formal hearing.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.< /p>Checking Limits
On Sunday evening, the former president appeared to be testing the limits of Ms. Chutkan's warning, which was issued in response to a prosecutor's request for a protection order restricting him comments about the lawsuit online.< /p>
Lawyers said there was a risk that Trump could threaten witnesses and jurors involved in the case after he posted to Truth Social: “If you follow me, I will come for you.”
Ms. Chutkan refused to issue an order barring Trump from speaking about the case at all, but issued a «general caveat» that his language could lead to a faster trial.
Tanya Chutkan, U.S. District Judge, said: «In a criminal case like this, the defendant's freedom of speech is governed by the rules.» Credit: United States Courts of Administration via AP
“The more a party makes inflammatory statements in this case…the greater will be the need for an urgent conclusion of the trial to ensure a pool of jurors from which we can select an impartial juror.” she said on Friday.
“I therefore warn all of you to be extra careful in your public statements about this case.”
She added that Mr. Trump, “like every American, has the right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment,” but that right “is not absolute.”
“In a criminal case like this , the defendant is free speech obeys the rules,” she said.
“Obviously she wants me behind bars.”
In an obvious response, Mr. Trump posted a quote on Truth Social citing Mr. Zhu Chutkan at Yang's earlier hearing. 6 rioter.
In a quote, Ms. Chutkan said that «the people surrounding the Capitol were loyal, loyal to one person, not to the constitution.»
Mr. Trump added: “The following TRUTH is a quote from highly biased Judge Tanya Chutkan angrily sentencing J-6er in October 2022. She clearly wants me to be behind bars. VERY CAUTION & UNFAIR!»
The apparent escalation of the dispute between the former president and Ms. Chutkan is ahead of the expected indictment in Georgia, where he is accused of interfering in the elections.
The prosecutor's office is expected to go to court several charges against several defendants, including Mr. Trump, later this week.
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