(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan’s Monday decision to impose a gag order on former President Donald Trump, restricting his ability to publicly comment amid his presidential primary campaign, has stirred a furious response from conservatives.
The D.C. judge defended her contentious ruling on the grounds protecting witnesses in the ongoing DOJ prosecution of Trump’s alleged involvement in efforts to question the 2020 presidential election.
Judge Tanya Chutkan, a radical activist judge who has made partisan statements against Donald Trump and his supporters in the past, didn’t just issue a narrow ‘gag order’ against him today.
The judge issued it against tens of millions of Trump supporters who are seeking justice… pic.twitter.com/ZmfF9XNfr4
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) October 16, 2023
“First Amendment protections yield to the administration of justice and to the protection of witnesses,” said Chutkan, an Obama appointee. “His presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to vilify … public servants who are simply doing their job.”
Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, swiftly condemned the decision, denouncing it as an affront to the constitutional right to free speech.
“Just a direct assault on the First Amendment,” Vance said via Twitter on Monday. “Disgraceful. Something that should be appealed as quickly as possible all the way to the Supreme Court.”
Echoing this sentiment, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., criticized the judge’s previous rulings and compared them to her treatment of Trump.
“Judge Chutkan thinks that illegal minors have the constitutional right to an abortion but does not believe a former President and top Presidential candidate has the right to free speech and the right to defend himself from his opponent’s weaponized DOJ against him,” Greene said
Judge Chutkan thinks that illegal minors have the constitutional right to an abortion but does not believe a former President and top Presidential candidate has the right to free speech and the right to defend himself from his opponent’s weaponized DOJ against him. https://t.co/FJyjSqrI1y
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) October 16, 2023
Fellow Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., drew attention to the reported politization of the DOJ. “Biden’s weaponized DOJ will do whatever it takes to silence his chief political opposition and interfere in the 2024 Presidential Election,” she said. “This is persecution through prosecution and an attack on our Constitutional Rights.”
The controversy drew attention from conservative media personalities, including prominent Fox News host Mark Levin, who denounced Chutkan’s ruling as another instance of left-wing judicial overreach.
“Leftist judge issues another outrageous order, violating President Trump’s free speech rights and further interfering with the election, as if Trump is a threat to some trying to put him in prison the rest of his life,” Levin asserted, adding, “Stalin would be proud.”
Leftist judge issues another outrageous order, violating President Trump’s free speech rights and further interfering with the election, as if Trump is a threat to some trying to put him in prison the rest of his life. Stalin would be proud. And we don’t need lectures from…
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) October 16, 2023
Trump has long been known for his unreserved use of social media platforms to express his views and communicate directly with his supporters.
It isn’t immediately clear whether Trump would appeal the decision.
