Categories: Politics

Federal appeals court denies Trump request to toss gag order in DC election case

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday denied former President Trump’s request to toss the gag order on his speech related to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s election interference case. 

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan first imposed the partial gag order on Oct. 17, blocking Trump from making statements targeting Special Counsel Jack Smith, his staff, witnesses and court personnel. 

KEY ASPECTS OF TRUMP GAG ORDER UPHELD BY FEDERAL APPEALS COURT

Trump appealed the gag order, and a three-judge appeals panel upheld the order but broadened what Trump could say about the case and Smith. 

Special Counsel Jack Smith, right, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear former President Trump’s immunity claims in the election interference criminal case against him. (Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Last month, Trump appealed the order altogether to the full Appeals Court but was denied Tuesday. 

“Upon consideration of appellant’s petition for panel rehearing filed on December 18, 2023, and the request for administrative stay, it is ordered that the petition be denied,” the order states. “It is, further ordered, that the request for administrative stay be denied.” 

Trump and his attorneys can now appeal to the United States Supreme Court. 

Attorneys for the former president and 2024 GOP front-runner have said that the gag order is a violation of his First Amendment rights, especially as he campaigns for the White House. 

TRUMP APPEALS REINSTATED GAG ORDER IN DC FEDERAL ELECTION CASE

“No court in American history has imposed a gag order on a criminal defendant who is actively campaigning for public office — let alone the leading candidate for President of the United States,” Trump’s attorneys wrote in an original filing in November. 

“The Gag Order violates the First Amendment rights of President Trump and over 100 million Americans who listen to him,” they added.

Trump pleaded not guilty in August in federal court to all four federal charges stemming from Smith’s investigation into 2020 election interference and the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. 

Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. 

Share

Recent Posts

Illinois DHS data breach exposes 700K residents’ records

Illinois residents are once again being reminded how fragile government data systems can be. The…

8 hours ago

FDA clears first at-home brain device for depression

For the first time, Americans with depression will soon be able to use a prescription…

13 hours ago

Apple warns millions of iPhones are exposed to attack

The Apple iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the United States and one of…

1 day ago

Alexa.com brings Alexa+ to your browser

For years, Alexa mostly stayed in one place. It lived on kitchen counters, nightstands or…

2 days ago

Fiber broadband giant investigates breach affecting 1M users

Brightspeed, one of the largest fiber broadband providers in the United States, is investigating claims…

2 days ago

New personal eVTOL promises personal flight under $40K

Personal electric aircraft have teased us for years. They look futuristic, promise freedom from traffic,…

3 days ago