Trump ordered to respond to DOJ protective order request by Monday

Former President Donald Trump was ordered Saturday by a federal judge to respond to the protective order request by Special Counsel Jack Smith no later then Monday evening. 

“If Defendant disagrees with any portion of the government’s proposed Protective Order, his response shall include a revised version of that Protective Order with any modifications in red line,” U.S. District Court Judge Tanya S. Chutkan  wrote, according to the New York Post. 

A spokesperson for former President Donald Trump late Friday cited "political speech," in response to the call for a protective order following Trump's TRUTH Social post.

"The Truth post cited is the definition of political speech, and was in response to the RINO, China-loving, dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs, like the ones funded by the Koch brothers and the Club for No Growth," a Trump spokesperson said in the statement. 

Smith requested a protective order from the court on Friday, shortly after Trump posted on TRUTH Social, "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU"

"All the proposed order seeks to prevent is the improper dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public. Such a restriction is particularly important in this case because the defendant has previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him," the filing for the protective order reads, according to ABC News.  

"And in recent days, regarding this case, the defendant has issued multiple posts—either specifically or by implication—including the following, which the defendant posted just hours ago," the court filing continues. 

"If the defendant were to begin issuing public posts using details—or, for example, grand jury transcripts—obtained in discovery here, it could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case," the filing states.

Trump was indicted Tuesday as part of special counsel Jack Smith's federal grand jury probe into the former president's efforts to challenge the 2020 election results and his role in the subsequent Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Trump was charged with four counts, including conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.