USA: Capitol attack: First hearing after indictment against Trump

At the first hearing in the case against Donald Trump in connection with the Capitol attack, the lawyers of the former US President exchanged blows with the judge, according to the media.

The meeting in the US capital, Washington, dealt with the question of whether Trump should be banned from making public certain evidence collected as part of the criminal investigation. According to the media, Judge Tanya Chutkan made it clear that the Republican did have the right to freedom of expression. But this is “not absolute”. Trump himself was not present at the hearing.

Verbal attacks on witnesses, judges and lawyers

After the indictment, Trump responded in the usual manner with verbal attacks. According to special counsel Jack Smith, his statements are aimed at witnesses, judges and lawyers involved in the criminal proceedings.

They are evidence that Trump cannot be relied upon to keep secret confidential information made available to him in the course of the proceedings, Smith argued. There is a risk that Trump will use evidence to intimidate witnesses.

Judge Chutkan addressed both sides’ positions on the issue at the session. Trump’s lawyers dismissed the prosecution’s arguments.

Chutkan puts the Trump team in their place

The judge has now made it clear that she takes her obligation seriously to ensure that the proceedings do not become a spectacle. If that means Trump can’t say certain things publicly, then so be it. “In a criminal case like this, the defendant’s freedom of speech is subject to the rules,” CNN quoted the judge as saying. It was the first hearing that the 61-year-old led in the case – it was randomly assigned to her.

Trump is the first ex-president in US history to face criminal charges. Most recently, the 77-year-old was charged with his attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election. At a hearing at the end of August, it should be clarified when the process should begin in this case.