Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann pointed out a “chilling” aspect of Donald Trump‘s recent attempt to appeal a gag order relating to his 2020 election interference case.
What Happened: The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, temporarily lifted for an assessment of Trump’s appeal, prevents the former president from publicly criticizing prosecutors, court staff, and potential witnesses, HuffPost reported. The order was reinstated late Sunday following more comments from Trump.
Weissmann, speaking to MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace on Monday, expressed concern over a part of the appeal brief from Trump's legal team.
He quoted it as essentially saying, "If there is violence, that's on the people who take up my words and commit the violence. It's not on me, Donald Trump.”
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Trump’s argument implies, "I can say whatever I want, and if people act on it, don't look at me," said Weissmann. This attitude, he believes, is alarming because it sidesteps responsibility for the potential impact of his words.
Weissmann further emphasized that any responsible individual would strive to ensure that their words would not incite violence or fear.
“One of the more chilling aspects of this case was the brief submitted by Donald Trump to the district court saying, if there is violence, that is on the people who take up my words and commit the violence, it is not on me, Donald Trump," he said.
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