The federal judge presiding over the criminal case involving Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to subvert the federal election has reactivated the restraining order she had initially imposed on the former president earlier this month.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan has further rejected Trump’s petition for an extended suspension of the order.

This order prohibits the former president from publicly singling out court personnel, potential witnesses, or members of the special counsel’s team during the duration of his appeal process, CNN reported.

“As the court has explained, the First Amendment rights of participants in criminal proceedings must yield, when necessary, to the orderly administration of justice—a principle reflected in Supreme Court precedent, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Local Criminal Rules,” the judge wrote. “And contrary to Defendant’s argument, the right to a fair trial is not his alone, but belongs also to the government and the public.”

Chutkan had initially issued the order this month due to apprehensions raised by prosecutors about the potential for the former president to intimidate witnesses or incite harm against prosecutors through his public statements.

Trump promptly filed an appeal, and on October 20, Chutkan temporarily suspended the order while legal proceedings took place between special counsel Jack Smith’s team and Trump’s legal representatives to determine whether it should be permanently halted during the appeal process.

In response to the ruling, the former president criticized it on Sunday evening, arguing that it encroached upon his freedom of speech rights.

Written by staff