Donald Trump defends ‘dangerous’ social media put up as ‘political speech’

A social media put up by Donald Trump written in all-capital letters saying “if you go after me, I’m coming after you!” might be interpreted as intimidating, US prosecutors have mentioned.

Mr Trump posted the message on his Truth Social platform on Friday afternoon a day after he pleaded not responsible to prices referring to makes an attempt to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 election, which he misplaced to President Joe Biden.

The all-capitals message was rapidly flagged in a late-night court docket submitting by the workplace of particular counsel Jack Smith, who’s main the investigation into the previous president’s position within the January 6 Capitol riots.

The submitting argued the put up suggests Mr Trump may intimidate witnesses by improperly disclosing confidential proof obtained from the federal government.

Under the method often called discovery, prosecutors are required to offer defendants with the proof in opposition to them to allow them to put together their defence.

“It could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case,” prosecutors wrote.

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A spokesperson for Mr Trump has since claimed the put up was in response to RINOs (Republicans in identify solely) and different political opponents, not folks linked to his court docket case.

“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 PACs [political action committee],” they mentioned in a press release.

The indictment over the Washington DC revolt is the third time in 4 months Mr Trump has been criminally charged at the same time as he campaigns to regain the presidency.

In Miami, he pleaded not responsible to allegations that he unlawfully stored nationwide safety paperwork when he left workplace and lied to officers, attempting to get well them.

He additionally pleaded not responsible in New York to 37 prices referring to falsifying enterprise information “in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election”.