Staff Reports
Last week, it was revealed that the FBI had permission to use “deadly force” during a raid on Mar-a-Lago on August 8, 2022. Former President Donald Trump reacted strongly, with a campaign email mentioning how “Joe Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out & put my family in danger.” Special Counsel Jack Smith was not happy with Trump’s response and requested a gag order in a Friday night filing.
Town Hall: Jack Smith Files Gag Order Request Against Trump for Lashing Out Over 'Deadly Force' Authorization https://t.co/oLWjk7wfLy
— Ian Hansen ???? (@IanHansenFeed) May 27, 2024
Smith’s filing to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon asked for Trump to be stopped from making statements that could endanger law enforcement involved in the case. The FBI explained that such measures are normal and that similar language was used in a plan for a search of President Biden’s properties. The Justice Department stated that the intention of the policy is to limit, rather than encourage, the use of force during searches. The revelation of the potential for violence during the raid was alarming to Trump’s supporters.
Smith’s filing referenced Trump’s claim that the FBI “was authorized to shoot me,” and was “just itching to do the unthinkable.” Smith argued that Trump’s comments could lead to threats and harassment towards those involved in the legal proceedings against him, potentially jeopardizing their safety and the integrity of the proceedings.
The revelation about the use of “deadly force” raised concerns among Trump’s supporters about President Biden and the Department of Justice targeting their political opponent. There have been criticisms that the criminal trials against Trump are interfering with the election, and concerns have been raised about the constitutional rights of defendants in the case.
The case has seen a number of motions, and the trial has been postponed indefinitely. Trump has faced gag orders in other criminal trials, leading to concerns about defendants’ constitutional rights.
