Judge imposes partial gag order on Trump in election interference case

Former US president cannot attack special counsel, federal prosecutors or court staff

Donald Trump's case in Washington focuses on his alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 electoral defeat to Joe Biden. AFP

A US federal judge has ordered a partial gag order on former president Donald Trump in his 2020 election interference case.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan's ruling on Monday will limit what Mr Trump can say in public about people involved in the case. The order will also prohibit Mr Trump from attacking special counsel Jack Smith, federal prosecutors and the court's staff.

Mr Smith's office has accused the 2024 Republican front-runner of using harsh rhetoric to undermine the public's faith in the judiciary.

Mr Trump's team says the effort to impose a gag order on the former president is an attempt to “silence” his First Amendment right to political speech.

“This desperate effort at censorship is unconstitutional on its face,” AP cited Mr Trump's lawyers as writing in court papers.

Ms Chutkan rejected the argument.

“You keep talking about censorship like the defendant has unfettered First Amendment rights. He doesn’t,” she said.

“We’re not talking about censorship here. We’re talking restrictions to ensure there is a fair administration of justice on this case.”

Mr Trump's case in Washington focuses on his alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 electoral defeat to Joe Biden. He faces three counts of conspiracy and one of obstruction.

He did not attend Monday's hearing.

Mr Trump has routinely used social media and other channels to attack Ms Chutkan and prosecutors in his Washington case, as well as the judges and prosecutors in the other cases against him.

Late on Sunday he called Mr Smith "crooked and deranged", and called for Ms Chutkan to recuse herself from the case for "horrible things she has said".

Mr Trump has already been issued a gag order in his New York civil fraud trial for criticising the presiding judge's law clerk.