Trump gag order reinstated but narrowed in Jan. 6 case

On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta reinstated a limited form of the Donald Trump gag order in a case involving suspects of the Capitol riot on Jan 6. The order prevents attorneys from making “extrajudicial statements” about the case, which includes comments about guilt or rule of law. The limited order applies to those parties directly involved in litigation and not to third parties such as the media or general public. The order applies to two defendants, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Larry R. Brock and former journalist Jennifer E. Lucas, who are accused of participating in the Jan. 6 attack. Both attorneys are not allowed to make statements about the government’s evidence or incite public opinion before rulings have been made. Judge Mehta noted that the previous full gag order posed a potential First Amendment violation and was “overbroad” and “unnecessarily restrictive.”