U.S. prosecutors have expressed worry about a threatening social media post made by Donald Trump, suggesting that it could lead to witness intimidation and the improper disclosure of confidential evidence provided by the government.

On his Truth Social platform, the former president wrote, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” This statement came on Friday afternoon, a day after pleading not guilty to charges related to an alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results.

In Georgia, where additional investigations are being conducted regarding Trump’s attempts to reverse election outcomes, security has been tightened around the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta. This increased security comes ahead of the potential announcement of Trump’s fourth criminal indictment this year.

In a court filing in Washington, the office of Special Counsel Jack Smith expressed concerns that Trump’s social media post could lead to the public disclosure of secret materials, such as grand jury transcripts, obtained from prosecutors. They requested a protective order to prevent Trump and his lawyers from sharing any discovery materials with unauthorized individuals.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has given Trump until Monday at 5 p.m. to respond to the filing.

Prosecutors emphasized that Trump’s social media post could have a negative impact on witnesses and the fair administration of justice in this case, considering his past history of attacking judges, attorneys, and witnesses involved in other cases against him. At his arraignment, Trump swore not to intimidate witnesses or communicate with them without legal counsel present.

While protective orders are common in cases involving confidential documents, prosecutors argued that it is particularly crucial to restrict public dissemination in this case due to Trump’s social media statements.

A spokesperson for Trump defended the social media post, stating that it was a form of political speech and a response to certain special interest groups and super PACs.

In anticipation of potential charges being brought in the investigation, security has been heightened around the courthouse in Atlanta for at least the next two weeks. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis plans to announce the charges within weeks.

While the downtown court building will remain open, surrounding roads are being closed to general traffic, and most employees have been advised to work from home, as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Magistrate court hearings, typically conducted for minor criminal and civil cases, will be held virtually.

The sheriff’s office has canceled all time off for the next few weeks, and police are working 12-hour shifts. Orange barricades have been set up around the courthouse in preparation for potential demonstrations if Trump is indicted in the coming weeks.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in two other criminal cases. He faces federal charges in Miami for allegedly retaining classified documents after leaving office and obstructing justice, as well as state charges in Manhattan for allegedly falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to a porn star.

Despite the growing legal troubles, Trump has maintained his lead in the Republican nomination contest over his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. However, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on Thursday, about half of Republicans would not vote for Trump if he were convicted of a felony.

Trump has consistently portrayed all of these investigations as part of a political witch hunt aimed at hindering his 2024 campaign.

U.S. prosecutors have expressed worry about a threatening social media post made by Donald Trump, suggesting that it could lead to witness intimidation and the improper disclosure of confidential evidence provided by the government.

On his Truth Social platform, the former president wrote, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” This statement came on Friday afternoon, a day after pleading not guilty to charges related to an alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results.

In Georgia, where additional investigations are being conducted regarding Trump’s attempts to reverse election outcomes, security has been tightened around the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta. This increased security comes ahead of the potential announcement of Trump’s fourth criminal indictment this year.

In a court filing in Washington, the office of Special Counsel Jack Smith expressed concerns that Trump’s social media post could lead to the public disclosure of secret materials, such as grand jury transcripts, obtained from prosecutors. They requested a protective order to prevent Trump and his lawyers from sharing any discovery materials with unauthorized individuals.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has given Trump until Monday at 5 p.m. to respond to the filing.

Prosecutors emphasized that Trump’s social media post could have a negative impact on witnesses and the fair administration of justice in this case, considering his past history of attacking judges, attorneys, and witnesses involved in other cases against him. At his arraignment, Trump swore not to intimidate witnesses or communicate with them without legal counsel present.

While protective orders are common in cases involving confidential documents, prosecutors argued that it is particularly crucial to restrict public dissemination in this case due to Trump’s social media statements.

A spokesperson for Trump defended the social media post, stating that it was a form of political speech and a response to certain special interest groups and super PACs.

In anticipation of potential charges being brought in the investigation, security has been heightened around the courthouse in Atlanta for at least the next two weeks. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis plans to announce the charges within weeks.

While the downtown court building will remain open, surrounding roads are being closed to general traffic, and most employees have been advised to work from home, as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Magistrate court hearings, typically conducted for minor criminal and civil cases, will be held virtually.

The sheriff’s office has canceled all time off for the next few weeks, and police are working 12-hour shifts. Orange barricades have been set up around the courthouse in preparation for potential demonstrations if Trump is indicted in the coming weeks.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in two other criminal cases. He faces federal charges in Miami for allegedly retaining classified documents after leaving office and obstructing justice, as well as state charges in Manhattan for allegedly falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to a porn star.

Despite the growing legal troubles, Trump has maintained his lead in the Republican nomination contest over his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. However, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on Thursday, about half of Republicans would not vote for Trump if he were convicted of a felony.

Trump has consistently portrayed all of these investigations as part of a political witch hunt aimed at hindering his 2024 campaign.