A gag order towards former President Donald Trump in a federal election interference case is being weighed by a three-judge panel after they heard arguments in a federal appeals court docket in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
During the two-and-a-half hours of arguments, the appeals court docket judges appeared skeptical of each side on whether or not to reinstate an order from a trial decide that prevented Trump from making inflammatory feedback towards prosecutors, potential witnesses and court docket workers.
Cecil VanDevender, a lawyer with Special Counsel Jack Smith’s workplace, argued {that a} gag order is important to stop intimidation and threats towards contributors within the case the place Trump is accused of scheming to overturn the 2020 election.
Meanwhile, Trump lawyer John Sauer urged the court docket to revoke the order.
NEW YORK JUDGE LIFTS TRUMP GAG ORDER IN CIVIL FRAUD TRIAL OVER FREE SPEECH CONCERNS
A federal appeals court docket heard arguments Monday on whether or not to reinstate a gag order towards Donald Trump within the federal case charging him with plotting to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The court docket didn’t instantly rule, however the end result of Monday’s arguments will set parameters on what Trump, as each a legal defendant and the main candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, can and can’t say because the trial date nears.
The judges listening to the case embody Cornelia Pillard and Patricia Millett, each appointees of former President Barack Obama, and Brad Garcia, who joined the bench earlier this 12 months after being nominated by President Biden.
A prosecutor argued {that a} gag order is important to stop intimidation and threats towards contributors within the case. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan first imposed the partial gag order Oct. 17, blocking Trump from making statements concentrating on Smith, his workers, witnesses and court docket personnel.
TRUMP GAG ORDER IN ELECTION CASE IS ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL’: LAW PROFESSOR
The order was later placed on maintain pending a earlier enchantment from the previous president earlier than being reinstated by Chutkan on Oct. 29.
The order doesn’t stop Trump from airing basic complaints in regards to the case, and Chutkan has mentioned the previous president remains to be allowed to claim his claims of innocence and that the case is politically motivated.
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Trump has continued to disclaim any wrongdoing within the case, and has argued that it’s a part of an effort to stop him from profitable the presidency in 2024. He has additionally sharply criticized these concerned within the case, together with Smith, whom he typically refers to as “deranged.”
Fox News’ Jake Gibson, Brandon Gillespie and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
