Blow to Trump as court upholds most of gag order in election interference case

Three-judge panel rules Trump free to speak about special counsel Jack Smith but cannot assail potential trial witnesses or court staff

Donald Trump may now assail the special counsel who brought the federal criminal case against him over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, in addition to being free to criticize the judge, the justice department, the Biden administration and the case as politically motivated.

The former president remains barred, however, from attacking potential trial witnesses, court staff or the special counsel’s staff, as well as the family members of any court staff or the special counsel’s staff.