Donald Trump’s frustration over his ability to speak publicly about his federal election conspiracy case is fueling his plans to continue posting about it on social media, slamming the judge over the weekend after she warned him not to intimidate witnesses, obstruct justice or try to muddy his ability to have a fair trial, according to sources close to the former president.
Trump criticized Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama appointee, as “highly partisan” and “very biased & unfair” on Truth Social early Monday morning, setting up an early test of the limits that Chutkan has imposed on Trump’s speech as a criminal defendant under the law.
The former president has insisted it’s his First Amendment right to defend himself publicly and has always viewed social media as his most direct way of communicating with his voters, two sources close to Trump told CNN and according to legal arguments made by his lawyer to Chutkan.
“He’ll share what he feels is necessary and if she has a problem with it, [she] will address it,” one Trump adviser said, referring to Chutkan.
That could prove risky for the former president. It’s plausible that if Trump crosses a line with his social media posts, Justice Department prosecutors would bring the issue to the court. Chutkan could also place greater restrictions on him including even revoking his ability to await trial outside of jail.
Sources close to Trump stressed that the former president has privately insisted he is being unfairly targeted by the US Justice system and that he turns to Truth Social to share his personal views on the “injustice” of what he is facing.
It’s unclear exactly how Trump’s lawyers have advised him since Chutkan’s directions and warnings Friday. The judge said on Friday at the first hearing with prosecutors and Trump’s team that she saw no political…
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