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Washington appeals judges on Monday expressed disbelief over former President Donald Trump's request to overturn an order barring him from making public comments in the federal criminal case in which he is accused of trying to sway the 2020 election.
While Trump's lawyer, John Sauer, argued that the order violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right to free speech, judges on the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia questioned whether his comments could pose a threat to the integrity of the impeachment process. expectedly judgmental.
"I'm not hearing you mention the importance of a fair trial," Judge Cornelia Pillard told Sauer's attorney.
Judge Pillard is among three members of the panel who heard Trump's appeal of a ruling by Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is hearing the case against him, that bars the former president and his lawyers from publicly criticizing investigators, court personnel and potential witnesses. .
According to Judge Chutkan, such public statements may influence witnesses and may incite threats against people involved in the case.
"The order is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent for the right to political expression in the future," lawyer Sauer said during the nearly two-hour hearing.
Donald Trump, the front-runner to win the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 U.S. election, has lashed out at officials looking into the criminal and civil cases he faces. He has called the special prosecutor, Jack Smith, who brought charges related to the federal election, "crazy and a 'thug'," among many other insults.
The order barring Trump from making public comments has been suspended while his appeal is being considered. The former president has declared that he is innocent in this case, as well as in the other three criminal cases.
The justices asked Justice Department lawyer Cecil VanDevender whether the order had a broad focus.
"We have to be very careful," said Judge Patricia Millett, a Democratic appointee, as did the other two on the panel.
Attorney VanDevender said the order allows Trump to comment broadly on the integrity of the case.
"He can say, 'This prosecution is politically motivated, brought by my political opponent,' "The Justice Department is corrupt, and, 'the court will acquit me,' all of that," VanDevender said. .
The judges did not announce when they are expected to come out with a decision.
Last week, a New York state appeals judge temporarily overturned a similar ruling limiting Trump's comments to members of the court hearing the case against him for financial fraud.
Trump immediately resumed his attacks on a court official involved in the case.
In social media posts and public appearances on the presidential campaign trail, Trump has stated that court officials and others involved in his legal troubles are politically biased, fueling fears that they could face physical threats from supporters. the former President.
The trial process for the case in Washington is expected to begin in March, which coincides with the height of the race for the nomination of the candidate for the Republican Party for President.
Trump has been accused of conspiring to interfere in the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Democrat Biden. Trump has accused the Biden administration of using the US justice system against him. /VOA
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