In a recent turn of events, ex-White House attorney Ty Cobb has issued a warning suggesting that former President Donald Trump‘s "narcissism" could result in a jail sentence, in relation to a potential violation of a federal gag order.
What Happened: The Hill reported Monday that Cobb, who represented the former Trump administration from July 2017 until May 2018, expressed this belief during an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett. He suggested that Trump’s potential violation of the gag order could strain the tolerance of Judge Tanya Chutkan.
Cobb voiced his confidence in the court upholding Judge Chutkan's gag order related to Trump’s federal case surrounding his alleged attempts to overstay his presidency after losing the last presidential election to President Joe Biden.
A panel of three judges deliberated over Trump's request to stop the gag order on Monday. The order, which temporarily prevents Trump and his legal team from using certain language targeting special counsel Jack Smith, court staff, and witnesses involved in the case, is currently on suspension until the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals announces its verdict.
Trump says that a gag order would infringe on his free speech rights and has declared his readiness to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court if his appeal is unsuccessful. Should Trump violate the gag order, Burnett suggested he could face short-term imprisonment, a prediction with which Cobb concurred.
The three-judge panel hearing Trump’s appeal consists of judges appointed by Democratic presidents: Patricia Millett and Cornelia Pillard, appointed by President Obama, and Brad Garcia, appointed by President Biden.
The gag order, implemented by Judge Chutkan in response to prosecution requests, has seen a tumultuous journey so far, being temporarily lifted and reinstated, and is currently on hold as the appeals court hears Trump’s challenge.
Why It Matters: This development follows Ty Cobb‘s previous statement on August 3, 2023, where he shared his belief that Trump was aware of his loss in the 2020 election.
In a Facebook post, Cobb noted that there would be evidence from more than one or two witnesses indicating that Trump acknowledged his electoral defeat.
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