Tanya S. Chutkan the Federal Judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trump’s case on charges of seeking to overturn the 2020 election warned Trump she would take necessary “measures” to keep him from intimidating witnesses or tainting potential jurors.
As he’s known to broadcast all his legal woes on social media, including insulting witnesses and judges she took aim with an unmistakable reference to his latest post “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!” as an attempt to intimidate witnesses.
Trump has repeatedly been warned about sharing evidence meant for his lawyers only and listing witnesses so she concluded with this admonishment:
“I do want to issue a general word of caution — I intend to ensure the orderly administration of justice in this case as I would in any other case, and even arguably ambiguous statements by the parties or their counsel,” she said, could be considered an attempt to “intimidate witnesses or prejudice potential jurors,” triggering the court to take action.
“I will take whatever measures are necessary to protect the integrity of these proceedings,” she added.
“Mr. Trump, like any other American,” has a right to free speech under the First Amendment, she said.
But that right, she added, “is not absolute.”
When Trump’s lawyers complained that he was a political figure, the judge replied bluntly that his candidacy is “a day job,” like another defendant.