Former President Donald Trump was ordered by a federal judge to not publicly discuss the Mar–a–Lago classified documents case after his high–profile Miami arraignment last week.
Judge Bruce Reinhart of the United States Magistrate put strict limits on Trump‘s access to the case documents, including limiting him to viewing the evidence in the presence of his legal team and not sharing anything on social media or during interviews.
The ruling was similar to one handed down in the Stormy Daniels hush money case currently under investigation by New York prosecutors earlier this year and Trump faces criminal sanctions or contempt charges if he fails to abide by it.
The first federal prosecution of a former president is seen as a controversial move by most Americans, with a recent DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners poll found 46 percent believing it “very reasonable“ and nine percent thinking it “fairly reasonable“ to charge Trump.
31 percent, however, think it is “very unreasonable“ and nine percent that it is “fairly unreasonable“ while a strong majority of 50 percent see the case as politically motivated.
Upon the news of the indictment, Trump demanded that it be thrown out, claiming he was allowed to take the classified documents out of the White House.
Jack Smith, Special Counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, is currently conducting a probe of Trump‘s possible involvement in the January 6 Capitol Riot as well as the controversy surrounding the 2020 presidential election.
The case will no doubt play a role in the 2024 election cycle as Trump is currently the frontrunner for the Republican Party‘s nomination.
James Johnson, a co–founder of polling firm J.L. Partners, remarked that the nation‘s voters see the indictment as an opportunity to both punish Trump for his overreaching and a chance for the political establishment to limit the power of an outsider.
“The average American voter‘s verdict on Trump‘s indictment is that he probably did something wrong, but that the charges are political,” Johnson said. He added, “Make it a referendum on Trump‘s behavior, and voters get reminded of what they see as his worst instincts. But if the Trump campaign can succeed in making this about the system pursuing him for political gain, then independents and other key voters may yet side with the former president on the issue.”
It will certainly be interesting to see how the case plays out over the next few years and whether Trump can make a case for his innocence or whether he will be found liable for breaking the law.
