'He deserves jail': Internet rejoices as Trump's gag order appeal in election interference case rejected

WASHINGTON, DC: In a pivotal development on Tuesday, January 23, a federal appeals court dealt a blow to former President Donald Trump's attempt to challenge a gag order in his election interference case.

The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals declined Trump's effort to have the full court hear his case, signaling the likelihood of a Supreme Court showdown over restrictions to his speech.

Previously, a three-judge panel of the appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that restricted Trump's speech in the case. The initial decision, largely in line with Judge Tanya Chutkan's ruling, prohibited Trump from making statements targeting foreseeable witnesses, court staff, and prosecutors.

The appeals court, however, refined the directive, extending the prohibition to any statements made with the intent to materially interfere with the case.

Supreme Court showdown looms

With the appeals court refusing to rehear the case, attention now turns to the Supreme Court. Trump has the option to petition the justices to review the gag order and seek a temporary suspension of its enforcement.

This represents a notable development in Trump's legal battles, with the Supreme Court already set to hear an appeal regarding his removal from Colorado's ballot under the 14th Amendment's insurrection ban.

In the District of Columbia, special counsel Jack Smith has charged Trump with four felonies related to alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election results. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges. This marks the first time the Supreme Court could intervene in any of Trump's four criminal cases since the charges were filed, per The Hill.

The court panel expressed reservations about the language used in Chutkan's order, specifically the term "target," fearing it might restrict Trump from responding to both witnesses and campaign critics.

The judges clarified that Trump could still speak out about individuals involved in the case as long as it does not pertain to their roles as witnesses or expected testimony.

While the panel removed Smith from the list of protected figures under Chutkan's order, allowing Trump more leeway in making statements about the prosecutor, the majority of the ruling upheld Chutkan's rationale for imposing the gag order.

The court stressed on concerns that Trump's speech could disrupt the trial, deter witness participation, and incite threats and intimidation. “Mr. Trump’s documented pattern of speech and its demonstrated real-time, real-world consequences pose a significant and imminent threat to the functioning of the criminal trial process in this case,” it found.

The judges highlighted a "torrent of threats and intimidation" directed at those singled out by Trump's supporters, highlighting the need to protect the trial from such disruptions. “Mr Trump has not shown that factual finding to be clearly erroneous, and we hold that the record amply supports it,” they added.

Social Media reacts to gag order

Unsurprisingly, Trump's critics celebrated the court's decision on social media.

"I would like nothing better than to see Trump get what he deserves, jail!" one posted on X.

"IF ONLY....WHAT A GIFT TO DEMOCRACY IF HE IS FINALLY ACCOUNTABLE," another wrote.

"Every time I hear Trump’s voice, I gag. So, I am thrilled about a gag order. If only it was a SuperGlue gag," someone else added.

"I don't think he expects to win any appeal - he just wants the delay," a comment read.

"Americans don't need to wait on a trump criminal conviction to vote for POTUS JOE BIDEN. Trump is not qualified for potus ever again," another declared.