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Federal Judge Reinstates Gag Order on Former President Trump

Former President Donald Trump walks off stage after a rally on Oct. 29, 2023, in Sioux City, Iowa. | AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

A federal judge has reinstated a gag order against former President Donald Trump, reversing a temporary hold she previously granted earlier this month.

Judge Tanya Chutkan’s Ruling

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued an order on Sunday evening, rejecting Trump’s request to set aside the limitations on his public statements while he pursues an appeal. Unfortunately, specific details of Chutkan’s ruling were not immediately accessible due to an outage of the court’s public filing system.

Trump’s Response

Following the announcement of the reinstated gag order, former President Trump took to social media to express his displeasure. He described the decision as an infringement on his First Amendment right to free speech and criticized what he referred to as the “Corrupt Biden Administration.”

Background on the Gag Order

Judge Tanya Chutkan initially imposed the gag order earlier this month at the request of prosecutors who are pursuing charges against Trump related to his alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election. Chutkan cited Trump’s inflammatory attacks on prosecutors, court officials, and witnesses as posing a threat to the case’s integrity and people’s safety.

Temporary Pause and Ongoing State-Court Case

Chutkan temporarily paused her gag order after facing initial resistance from Trump and his attorney, John Lauro. They contended that the order was vague, unmanageable, and unwarranted.

It’s important to note that Chutkan’s order is separate from another gag order issued by a New York judge in a state-court civil case related to Trump’s business. In that case, Trump has been fined twice for violating directives to cease public statements about court staff.

Conclusion

The reinstatement of the gag order on former President Trump has rekindled a legal battle over the boundaries of free speech and appropriate conduct in the context of ongoing legal proceedings.

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