Donald Trump’s legal team responded to special counsel Jack Smith’s request for a protective order to limit the disclosure of information in a federal 2020 election criminal case against the former president. Trump’s lawyers asked that the order be confined to “shield only genuinely sensitive materials,” arguing that a broader order could limit their client’s rights to discuss potentially exculpatory evidence and seek aid from volunteer attorneys.

The legal team contended that the government’s request could infringe on Trump’s First Amendment rights, and accused President Joe Biden of capitalizing on the indictment, citing a social media post of Biden with a “Dark Brandon” coffee mug. Prosecutors sought the protective order due to concerns about Trump’s previous social media posts related to legal matters and the potential chilling effect on witnesses.

Trump’s recent post on Truth Social stating, “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!” was specifically referenced by Smith’s team. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected the Trump legal team’s request for an extension to respond to the protective order request and they have since called for a hearing to discuss the matter.

Trump is currently running a 2024 campaign for re-election and has denied any wrongdoing, labeling the criminal indictments against him a “witch hunt.” He faces charges in two cases brought by Smith: one regarding his handling of sensitive documents after leaving office, and the other concerning alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

The former president’s plea of not guilty and his posts on Truth Social express his outrage at being put on trial during a campaign, questioning the timing of the indictments and framing them as election interference. His comments raise questions about the nature of legal actions against political opponents during an election season.