Accountable. In their motion for a protective order, the Justice Department says, quote, such a protective order is needed in this case the because the defendant has released statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys and other associates in legal matters pending against him. In recent days the defendant has issued multiple posts, either specifically or by implication including the following which the defendant posted just hours ago. If you go after me, im coming after you. The filing including a screen shot of that ominous threat. Prosecutors went on to say, quote, if the defendant were to begin issuing public posts using details or, for example, grand jury transcripts obtained in discovery, it could have a harmful, Chilling Effect on witnesses or adversely affect the Fair Administration of justice in this case. That request by the Special Counsel triggered a battle between team trump and the doj. Here is how the New York Times wrote this. John lauro, one of tru
were you interviewed by the special counsel? i m not going to get into any discussions. would you appear as a witness if called? of course. two of the ex- president s closest allies turned critics, his former vice president and attorney general saying over the weekend they would testify against him if called upon by the special counsel. it s clear from his federal indictment that jack smith s unprecedented list of potential witnesses will be so much worse than that for trump with both indictments referencing many of his closest advisers still today, some of whom are deeply involved in his current presidential campaign, including close aide and campaign travel buddy walt nauta who is, as noted, a co-defendant in the documents case in florida. from the washington post, quote, at least seven current advisers to former president drum took actions mentioned prominently in at least one of the three criminal indictments or have been interviewed. they include his top
either they will come on their own steam or they will be given trial subpoenas that will require them to be there. jackie, to pick up on the washington post reporting, it says one trump adviser joked last week, quote, my best friends are lawyers. tell us what s about to unfold for potential campaign staffers who will face the challenge of trump loyalty versus avoiding suspicions from prosecutors. my colleagues have a really great piece about all of the conflicts of interest. after all, the judge in florida did order trump and prosecutors to submit a list of people that they didn t want trump speaking to as a part of the case. they came up with a list of about 84 different people, many of whom actually still continue to work with trump. we obviously know walt nauta, but even his senior communications aide, one of his