Summary:
- The judge overseeing the 2020 election case involving former President Donald Trump is considering a protective order request by the Justice Department following concerns over a threatening post made by a Trump aide.
- Trump's lawyers oppose prosecutors' request to limit his speech, arguing it infringes on his political expression and could censor him.
- Prosecutors are concerned that Trump's comments might reveal sensitive information or evidence in the case.
- Trump's lawyer asserts his right to free speech and plans to file on first amendment grounds.
- Despite legal battles, Trump remains popular in the Republican primary, and some view the indictments as an attempt to hinder his campaign.
- Additional security measures have been implemented for the judge and special counsel overseeing the case.
The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's criminal case regarding attempts to overturn the 2020 election is weighing a request by the Justice Department for a protective order following what they call a threatening post-Trump maid. Robert Costa has more.
In a filing tonight, Trump's lawyers push back against prosecutors and their request to limit what the former president can say, arguing it is in effect asking the court to censor his political speech. The request from federal prosecutors came as Trump's attacks against special counsel Jack Smith are now standard on the campaign trail. He's a deranged human being. Those indictments aren't worth the paper they're written on. And his social media outbursts, including writing if you go after me, I'm coming after you, prompted prosecutors to act, alarmed about the possibility that Trump could divulge sensitive information or even evidence in the case.
I think the former president's most recent comments really reinforced the government's concern that the former president is not a defendant who sits and ruminates in silence. Trump lawyer John Loro said Trump can speak out on free speech grounds. We're going to file on first amendment grounds on the fact that President Trump is immune as president from being prosecuted in this way. Trump's political opponents are stepping up their attacks. Of course he lost. Trump lost the 2020 election. Of course.
Joe Biden is the president. But the court battles are doing little to diminish Trump's popularity in the Republican primary race. According to a CBS News poll, most Republicans think the indictments are an attempt to stop Trump's campaign. I consider it a great badge of honor because I'm being indicted for you. And CBS News has learned there are growing concerns at the court. A source says the judge, Tanya Chunkin, who is overseeing the January 6 case, has been given additional security from U.S.
Marshals. And that special counsel, Jack Smith, has also been given more protective support. Robert Costa, CBS News, Washington.