In a legal battle aimed at barring former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot in Colorado, the overseeing judge took a proactive step to maintain the safety of all involved parties, including herself and her staff. District Judge Sarah B. Wallace issued a protective order prohibiting threats and intimidation during the ongoing litigation.
Protective Order Issued for Safety
Judge Wallace expressed her understanding of the concerns raised by various parties involved in the case. As such, she decided to grant a protective order, which specifically forbids any threatening or intimidating statements among the parties. “I 100% understand everybody’s concerns for the parties, the lawyers, and frankly myself and my staff based on what we’ve seen in other cases,” she said.
Contention Over the Protective Order
While the protective order was welcomed by many, Scott Gessler – a former Colorado secretary of state representing Donald Trump – opposed it. He argued that such an order was unnecessary as threats and intimidation were already prohibited by law.
A Groundbreaking Lawsuit
The lawsuit aims to disqualify Trump from the 2024 ballot with the 14th Amendment, which contains a clause banning anyone who engaged in insurrection after swearing an oath to the Constitution from running for office. The case revolves around Trump’s involvement in the January 6th, 2021 attack on the Capitol.
The National Implications
The Colorado case is the first of its kind filed by a group with significant legal resources. It is widely anticipated that the issue will ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which has never before ruled on the insurrection provision in the 14th Amendment.
An Upcoming Hearing
Judge Wallace has scheduled a hearing to discuss whether Trump should be removed from the ballot under Colorado law, which prohibits candidates who do not meet the qualifications for higher office. She aims to provide ample time for the Colorado Supreme Court and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision before the state’s deadline for setting the 2024 presidential primary ballot.
Trump’s Defense and Future Hearings
Trump’s legal team is set to file two motions to dismiss the lawsuit. One of these motions will argue that the litigation is an attempt to infringe upon the former president’s free speech rights. Judge Wallace has scheduled a hearing to address this particular claim.
Calls for Protective Order
The proposal for the protective order came from Sean Grimsley, an attorney for the plaintiffs in the case. He referenced a recent attempt by federal prosecutor Jack Smith to seek a gag order against Trump due to threats made during Smith’s prosecution of the former president for his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Grimsley highlighted Trump’s use of social media for making statements about witnesses and the courts.
The Internet’s Response
News of the protective order was shared across the internet and people flocked to comment sections to give their views. One person said: “If Trump had an ounce of dignity or respect for this country, he would withdraw from the race and let the justice system work. That is, if he truly cares about this nation.”
A Judge’s Order
Plenty of people called for Trump to be treated like an ordinary citizen. One such individual said: “The only way this guy is shutting up is to put him in jail just like every other citizen who disobeys a judge’s order.”
Stripping U.S. Citizenship
Some people even called for Trump to lose his U.S. citizenship, something that likely wouldn’t be a legal option. “Trump should be stripped of his U.S. citizenship and banned from the United States of America,” one particularly passionate individual wrote.
A Pointless Order
Quite a few people said that the order is pointless because Trump will simply ignore it. One person said: “Good luck with that order, Judge. Just lock him up. You know he will just be on his site, merely hours after your order, doing what you told him not to.”
The Importance of Preventing Interference
Others praised the order but said it hadn’t come soon enough. “The case is groundbreaking and it is important to ensure that it is not interfered with. Anyone else would have already been placed under this order,” one commenter wrote.
Trump and Threats
A few people joked that all Trump does is threaten and intimidate, meaning the order will render him unable to speak. “If Trump cannot threaten and intimidate those he dislikes, he won’t be able to take at all,” one person said.
Safe and Secure
People defended the order. “Protective orders are a common tool used to ensure that all parties are safe and secure,” one person said. “The order will help to protect the rights of all parties involved in the case,” another echoed.
A Bad Look for America
Another person wrote: “Is it very common for someone to have to be told to refrain from threats and intimidation? What type of person is so barbaric, cruel, and undisciplined that they need to be warned like this? Emphasizing such low class in a high-profile person is a bad look for America. Tragic Trump.”
Above the Law
Others discussed the way Trump seemingly thinks he’s above the law. “He is a terrible person and he needs to go to jail and sit. He thinks he is above the law. The judges will put him in jail,” one individual said.
A Method to the Madness
Another commenter said: “Finally! The country should demand that he stop the insults, intimidation threats, [and] misinformation. There is a method to his madness. He intends to exhaust our legal system and tie it up in knots, everywhere one looks it is all about Trump. Awful. He has brought our government to its knees. We must stay the course and bring this egomaniac to justice.”
A MAGA Opinion
Trump’s supporters claimed that being able to threaten people is a First Amendment right. One individual wrote: “This is a violation of the First Amendment, plain and simple. Wake up, America. We must defend freedom no matter the cost – before we lose it.”
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