Federal Appeals Court Narrows Trump Gag Order in Election Subversion Case

A US appeals court has narrowed but largely upheld a gag order that prevents former President Donald Trump from criticizing prosecutors, court staff, and potential witnesses in a federal criminal case accusing him of illegally trying to overturn the 2020 election. The court lifted the prohibition on Trump personally criticizing Special Counsel Jack Smith but maintained restrictions on comments about witnesses' involvement in the investigation and potential testimony. The court found that while some aspects of Trump's public statements pose a threat to the ongoing criminal proceeding, the initial gag order went beyond what was necessary. Trump plans to appeal the ruling to the US Supreme Court. The case is set to go to trial in March 2024.