“If you follow me, I will follow you,” ex-US President Trump threatened after reading the latest indictment against him. Special Counsel Smith sees this as an attempt to intimidate the jury and witnesses – and demands consequences.
After his court date in Washington, a statement on social media brought new legal trouble to former US President Donald Trump. “If you follow me, I will follow you,” wrote the Republican on the online platform Truth Social, which he co-founded, one day after the indictment against him was read out in the US capital.
Possible attempt to manipulate
Special Counsel Jack Smith believes Trump’s statement is directed against witnesses, judges and attorneys involved in the criminal case surrounding Trump’s attempted vote fraud and the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. According to Smith, Trump’s statement is evidence that Trump cannot be relied upon to keep secret confidential information disclosed to him during the course of the proceedings.
A special counsel motion filed with the court said there was a risk that Trump would use evidence presented to him to intimidate or threaten witnesses. Smith therefore asked the court to quickly show Trump and his lawyers limits for handling sensitive information. Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered Trump to comment on Smith’s position by Monday afternoon.
Spokesman denies allegation
A Trump spokesman said in a statement that Trump’s contribution to Truth Social was nothing more than “political speech” and had nothing to do with the case.
Trump was reminded at Thursday’s indictment, as part of normal court procedure, that it is a criminal offense to attempt to influence a jury, threaten or bribe a witness or other person.
Trump sees the prosecution against him as politically motivated. The day after the court hearing in Washington, he used both Truth Social and a campaign speech that evening to rant extensively against the crackdown. The 77-year-old, who wants to run again in the 2024 presidential election, is accused of orchestrating a conspiracy against the state. Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday.