US prosecutors have flagged a threatening social media post from Donald Trump in a late-night court filing on Friday.
They argued that it suggests he might intimidate witnesses by improperly disclosing confidential evidence received from the government.
On his Truth Social site, the former president wrote, ‘IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!’.
The post came a day after he pleaded not guilty to charges that he orchestrated a criminal conspiracy to try to reverse his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Meanwhile in Georgia, where other prosecutors are investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results in that state, security was tightened around the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta.
The city is preparing for the possible announcement of what would be Trump’s fourth criminal indictment this year.
In the filing in Washington federal court, the office of Special Counsel Jack Smith said Trump’s social media post raised concerns that he might publicly reveal secret material, such as grand jury transcripts, obtained from prosecutors.
It sought a protective order prohibiting Trump and his lawyers from sharing any discovery materials with unauthorized people.
On Saturday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan gave Trump until 5 p.m. on Monday to respond.
In a filing, Trump’s attorneys asked for three more days to prepare their response, until Thursday, August 10.
Under the process known as discovery, prosecutors are required to provide defendants with the evidence against them so they can prepare their defense.
‘It could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case,’ prosecutors wrote in their filing, adding Trump has a history of attacking judges, attorneys and witnesses in other cases against him.
More: US news
At his arraignment on Thursday, Trump swore not to intimidate witnesses or communicate with them without legal counsel present.
Protective orders are routine in cases involving confidential documents, but prosecutors said it was particularly important to restrict public dissemination given Trump’s social media statements.
A Trump spokesperson issued a statement defending the former president’s social media 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 PAC’s,’ the statement said.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Get your need-to-know
latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
