Trump’s special counsel Jack Smith enters the ex-president’s menacing Truth Social post saying, “If you go after me, I’ll come after you,” just HOURS after it was published
- Donald Trump told the Washington D.C. magistrate on Thursday that he understood he could not make threats to those involved in his case
- On Friday, the 77-year-old wrote on his social media network: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I WILL COME AFTER YOU!” – an apparent threat to those who may cooperate
- Hours later, Jack Smith, the special counsel overseeing the prosecution, sought a protection order, citing Trump’s post as evidence that he might threaten witnesses.
The special prosecutor overseeing the prosecution of Donald Trump applied for an emergency warrant on Friday night to prevent Trump from using confidential information from the case against potential witnesses, after writing on social media: “IF YOU GO NA ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!’
Jack Smith made the emergency filing in Washington DC hours after Trump made the post, citing it as evidence that Trump could not be trusted to keep the discovery materials confidential.
Smith warned that the post indicated Trump was determined to attack his critics by any means necessary.
“If the defendant were to begin posting public messages using details — or grand jury transcripts, for example — obtained here upon discovery, it could have a detrimental, chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the due process of justice in this case,” Smith said. wrote.
Donald Trump was pictured Friday speaking in Montgomery, Alabama. Shortly before the event, he posted a threat on social media against those involved in the case
On Thursday, the judge in his case — which deals with Trump’s attempts to overturn the election — reminded Trump that it is a crime to intimidate a juror, bribe someone or obstruct the administration of justice.
When asked if he understood the standard disclaimer, Trump replied that he did.
But on Friday, Trump issued a threat against those involved in the case, leading Smith to fear Trump could use the discovery material against those involved.
Smith said the proposed protection order was not “overly restrictive,” noting that it would still allow Trump to use discovery materials in his defense.
“All the proposed injunction seeks to prevent is the inappropriate dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public,” Smith wrote.
Such a restriction is particularly important in this case because the defendant has previously made public statements on social media about witnesses, judges, attorneys and others involved in legal cases pending against him.
“And over the past few days, the defendant has made several posts – specifically or implied – in relation to this case, including the following, which the defendant posted several hours ago.”
Smith then added a screenshot of the Truth Social post.