Federal judge issues gag order on Trump over 2020 election case

A federal judge on Monday issued a gag order on Former President Donald Trump to limit what he can talk about regarding special counsel Jack Smith's probe of his alleged efforts to alter the 2020 election results. 

D.C.-based Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama appointee, said in court, "This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses. This is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice," CNN reported.

"His presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to vilify public servants who are simply doing their jobs," she also said, as Trump runs for the 2024 Republican nomination.

Trump has sparred with Chutkan before,  even asked her to recuse herself from the case.

Trump pleaded not guilty in August to all federal charges stemming from special counsel Jack Smith's probe related to the 2020 election and the subsequent Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He separately pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents earlier in the summer.

"Mr. Trump is a criminal defendant. He is facing four felony charges. He is under the supervision of the criminal justice system and he must follow his conditions of release," Chutkan also said during the hearing. 

Trump's trial on the election charges is scheduled for March.

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