Fulton County tries to strangle President Trump’s social media usage

by Hailey Gomez

Photo: Alamy

A Fulton County superior judge signed an order limiting former President Trump’s social media usage on Monday, stating he can not use the platforms to intimidate potential witnesses or co-defendants.

Superior Judge Scott McAfee released Trump’s bail amount and a signed order banning the former president from contacting his co-defendants or witnesses in the case, except through their attorneys. The order specifically notes that Trump shall also not “intimidate” any co-defendants or witnesses, including posts or reposts on social media. 

“The Defendant shall perform no act to intimidate any person known to him or her to be a co defendant or witness in this case or to otherwise obstruct the administration of justice,” the court order read.

“The above shall include, but are not limited to, posts on social media or reposts of posts made by another individual on social media,” it continued. 

While it is the first official court order, the federal judge overseeing the Jan. 6 indictment previously issued a warning to the former president about consequences for making certain statements. In a hearing earlier this month, Judge Tanya S. Chutkan stated that while Trump’s rights as a defendant would be protected, his First Amendment right to free speech was “not absolute.”

“In a criminal case such as this one, the defendant’s free speech is subject to the rules,” Chutkan stated.

“The more a party makes inflammatory statements about this case which could taint the jury pool or intimidate potential witnesses, the greater the urgency will be that we proceed to trial to ensure a jury pool from which we can select an impartial jury,” Chutkan warned

The former president is set to turn himself over to authorities in Georgia for the 2020 election indictment and be formally booked, according to his post on Truth Social. His bail is set for $200,000.

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