USA
Trump’s statement after the court date has consequences
Donald Trump appeared in court in Washington on Thursday. photo
© Alex Brandon/AP/dpa
Donald Trump also evaluates the new charges against himself as a political witch hunt and issues threats. This has an aftermath: Special Counsel Smith worries about the handling of confidential information.
After his court date in Washington, the former US President made a statement on social media Donald Trump brought new legal trouble. “If you follow me, I will follow you,” wrote the Republican on the online platform Truth Social, which he co-founded, on Friday, just one day after the indictment against him was read out in the US capital.
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 request by the special counsel filed with the court on Friday evening (local time) said there was a risk that Trump would use evidence confronted with him to intimidate or threaten witnesses. Smith therefore asked the court to quickly show Trump and his lawyers limits for handling sensitive information.
Trump spokesman appeased
The judge in charge ordered the ex-president to comment on Smith’s position by Monday afternoon. A spokesman for Trump had recently 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 during the indictment on Thursday as part of normal court procedure that it is a criminal offense to try to influence a jury, to threaten a witness or other persons or to bribe them.
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.