A federal judge in the United States recently issued a gag order in a criminal fraud case to protect a state government employee from public rebuke. The gag order came in response to President Donald Trump’s derogatory and embarrassing rebuke of the employee on social media.
The case, which involves allegations of public assistance fraud by the state employee, was previously gaining attention due to the employee’s high-profile position within the state’s government. However, the controversy over the case intensified after President Trump publicly lambasted the employee on Twitter. Trump referred to the employee as “corrupt” and asserted that they had “done nothing to protect the public”.
In response, the presiding judge issued the gag order that prohibits public scrutiny of the witness “by parties who have personal or direct involvement in this case.” This means those close to the case, such as the Trump administration and the employee’s defense attorneys, are not allowed to discuss the case publicly in order to protect the witness from further public ridicule.
The judge has defended the gag order, stating that it was issued “to protect the interest of justice and the integrity of this case.” The judge also expressed concern about potential “interference” with the judicial process as a result of President Trump’s comments.
This gag order marks a unique situation in which a president’s comments have led to the intervention of a federal judge. Though the gag order is preventing public discussion of the employee, it ironically remains in the public eye due to President Trump’s interference.