Special Counsel Argues Against Allowing Trump to Spread Disinformation in the Courtroom
Justice Department prosecutors argue for barring Trump from using courtroom to spread disinformation and portray himself as a victim during his federal trial on charges of subverting the 2020 election
The Justice Department prosecutors are aiming to block former President Donald Trump from spreading misinformation and portraying himself as a victim of political persecution in his federal court trial for subverting the 2020 election. The filing outlines the specific measures that prosecutors from special counsel Jack Smith's office are requesting as they get ready to present their case to the jury.
In a new court filing on Wednesday, prosecutors argued against allowing the defendant to use the courtroom as a platform for spreading irrelevant disinformation and injecting politics into the proceedings. They also suggested that the former president may be attempting to sway jurors based on opinions rather than legal standards.
Prosecutors have also requested that the court prevent Trump from insinuating that the Biden administration orchestrated the case against him for political motives. "Despite the defendant's wishes, this trial should focus on factual and legal matters, not politics," the prosecutors stated.
The case has been mostly put on hold due to an ongoing appeal to determine if Trump can claim presidential immunity from prosecution. The resolution of this issue will need to be reached before Trump's trial, set for March 2024, and may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.
Smith's office is maintaining the previously set deadlines for the case, suggesting that they aim to keep the trial on track for this spring if the appeals are resolved swiftly.
Trump is facing four charges in the case, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding. The former president has pleaded not guilty.
