As previously posted, the DOJ sought an extremely broad ‘protective order’ covering all materials turned over to Trump’s defense in the case. Trump objected that such a request was overly broad, that Trump had no objection so ‘sensitive’ information being subjected to a protective order, but that it would violate his first amendment rights (particularly in the middle of a campaign) to prevent him from disclosing ANY information related to the charges against him.
A hearing took place in federal court this morning, and according to reports, the Judge sided with Trump on the scope of the protective order, but reminded him that the terms of his release prohibit him from intimidating witnesses.
We will have to await a formal order to see how the judge defines where the line gets drawn on what can and cannot be disclosed, and to whom.
MORE TO FOLLOW
The Judge said she would not take Trump’s political needs into account, but how can you not do that? It’s almost certain that we will see multiple attempts by the prosecution to claim that something Trump says on the campaign trail or on Truth Social constitutes witness intimidation.
During a debate, if a question is asked about J6 or witness Mike Pence makes a statement about what happend, is Trump supposed to say, hold on, let’s get the Judge on the phone to tell me what I can or can’t say so as not to cross the line into witness intimidation? That’s the whole absurdity of DOJ having waited so long to bring these charges.
On August 11 the Judge entered a Protective Order pretty much along the lines outlined above during oral argument.
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