Special counsel Jack Smith has requested a judge to restrict former President Donald Trump's statements, accusing him of making claims about the FBI plotting to assassinate him, which he says could endanger FBI agents.
Smith's request stems from recent, allegedly inflammatory statements made by Trump and supported by figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, as the Washington Examiner reports.
On Friday, Smith asked a judge to restrict Trump from making declarations that FBI agents were involved in a conspiracy to kill him. The request was detailed in a court filing alleging that Trump's recent comments had subjected FBI agents to threats and harassment.
The controversial statements by Trump included serious allegations about federal agents being granted the authority to use lethal force during the search of his Mar-a-Lago estate. Smith's filing seeks to have U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon put a stop to Trump's potentially dangerous rhetoric.
Smith's document to the court specifically mentions "[Trump's] intentionally false and inflammatory statements" which, according to Smith, distort the facts surrounding the FBI's search warrant execution. Ensuring the safety of law enforcement agents, Smith argued, requires curbing such inflammatory statements by the former president.
If Judge Cannon accepts the special counsel's request, it would further limit Trump's ability to communicate or address matters related to the trial publicly.
The appeal for restrictions follows Trump's claim in a fundraising message, suggesting, "Biden's DOJ was authorized to shoot me!" This statement, existing alongside his other accusations, is asserted by Smith as a source of direct threat to the safety of law enforcement personnel.
Supporting Trump, Greene echoed similar accusations, taking to Twitter to suggest that the Biden Department of Justice and FBI had plans to assassinate the former president. This has added to the urgency of Smith's request to the court.
Smith's court filing emphasizes what he believes are the perilous implications of Trump's continued statements. He urges the court to act promptly to prevent any harm that could stem from inciting hostility against law enforcement agents.
The special counsel's concerns extend to various scenarios where Trump's comments could precipitate actual violence, confrontations, or threats against FBI personnel. The preventive measure sought by Smith aims to mitigate such imminent risks.
Though Smith has articulated a clear and pressing need for this action, Trump’s legal team has downplayed these supposed dangers. Trump's lawyers have suggested a meeting with prosecutors on Monday, arguing there is no immediate threat posed by Trump's statements.
Beyond the immediate concerns presented by Smith, Trump is also navigating through multiple legal and public relations battles. His statements about the FBI have become intertwined with ongoing political and legal challenges, testing the boundaries of permissible public communication by a former president.
Trump's accusations, both in legal documents and public statements, seek to cast doubt on the integrity and motivations of federal law enforcement agencies. This strategy has kept his base engaged while contributing to a polarized and contentious political environment.
