Jack Smith seeks protective order citing Trump's threat on Truth Social

[wnylib]

20. It is more than it sounds like on the surface.

During the discovery process, Smith will release some information to Trump's attorneys regarding details of the case that the prosecution is bringing against Trump. That is normal procedure. The lawyers for the defendant are entitled to that information in order to prepare a defense.

But, Trump's most recent threat implies that when he gets that information, he will go after people who provided it. That would include the grand jury that voted for indictment and the witnesses who testified to the grand jury. Considering how Trump operates, he would not personally touch any of those people, but he would either get one of his goons to threaten them further, in secret, or would publicize the info in a way designed to get some crazy MAGA to go after those people with a gun.

In other words, Trump is now intimidating witnesses and jury members that he will get revenge on them for aiding the prosecution. It is a very real and dangerous threat because, during discovery, Trump could learn which witnesses have the most damaging testimomy and target them. He is creating fear in them in the hope that they will recant their testimony or have a memory loss during the trial.