Harry Litman, a former federal prosecutor and current legal analyst, took note on Monday of some of the latest public rhetoric from former President Donald Trump in which the ex-White House occupant — currently on trial in New York City — was basically pleading for protests on his behalf from his supporters.
“Trump tells his supporters ‘”RALLY BEHIND MAGA. SAVE OUR COUNTRY! “THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF.” That’s pretty close to an exhortation to ignore lawful orders to disperse if they come. and that’s playing with fire with Justice Merchan,” Litman warned.
The remarks to which Litman was referring included rather specific details for what Trump wanted. “America Loving Protesters should be allowed to protest at the front steps of Courthouses, all over the Country, just like it is allowed for those who are destroying our Country on the Radical Left, a two tiered system of justice,” the former president posted online.
Trump has sought to gin up protests, or at least some kind of expression of support, previously, including around the time of this very criminal case getting off the ground at all and in the lead-up to what became the Capitol riot in early 2021. Before the violence, the then-president infamously posted on social media that supporters should “be there” (meaning D.C.) on January 6, 2021, when Congress’ certification of the presidential election results from the 2020 race was scheduled.
During this criminal case, Trump was already placed under strict controls from the judge on his public commentary, with a gag order blocking a range of public attacks from the ex-president on witnesses, jurors, and others. There’s a hearing scheduled for this week on allegations from prosecutors that Trump violated that order, with the prosecution seeking financial penalties. They also pushed for the threat of detention for future violations by Trump to be reiterated.
