Trump wrote that in ‘time gone by’ Milley would have been executed for communicating with China following Jan. 6
The Department of Justice is intensifying its efforts to obtain a gag order against former President Donald Trump. This move comes in response to Trump’s recent comments, particularly those concerning the death penalty and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley.
Earlier this month, DOJ prosecutors initially requested a gag order, arguing that Trump’s outspoken public statements could potentially impact ongoing legal proceedings. This request has gained momentum following Trump’s series of allegations posted on the Truth Social platform.
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In these posts, he criticized Milley for his reported phone call to Chinese counterparts in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, protests.
In response to Trump’s remarks, where he asserted that Milley had “turned out to be a Woke train wreck” and suggested that Milley had communicated with China to inform them of the President’s thoughts, the former president added, “This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!”
Special counsel Jack Smith is now increasing the pressure to secure the gag order, particularly in light of Trump’s comments regarding Milley.
Prosecutors contended on Friday that the defendant, Donald Trump, should not be allowed to continue to litigate the case in the court of public opinion instead of the court of law. They argued that such a situation could undermine the fairness and integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings.
In contrast, the Trump legal team has vigorously opposed requests for a gag order, asserting that it would violate the former president’s civil rights.
They released a 25-page brief condemning the Department of Justice’s request, emphasizing the importance of freedom of speech and the need for transparency. The brief states, “The prosecution would silence President Trump, especially during a political campaign where his right to criticize the government is at its height, all to prevent a public critique of this prosecution.
However, ‘above all else, the First Amendment means that the government has no power to restrict expression because of its message, its ideas, its subject matter, or its content.'”