‘That’s Out of a Godfather Movie’
Despite warning, Trump's continued with menacing messages
Although advised by the federal judge at his arraignment last week, Donald Trump's continued to issue menacing statements which could ultimately land the former president in increasing legal peril.
Trump late last week entered a plea of “not guilty” at his arraignment on new federal charges that he illegally sought to stop Democrat Joe Biden's lawful accession to presidency.
It was at that hearing that the presiding judge admonished Trump, who is once again running for president.
“Finally, sir, I want to remind you that it is a crime to try to influence a juror, or to threaten or attempt to bribe a witness or any other person who may have information about your case, or to retaliate against anyone for providing information about your case to the prosecution, or to otherwise obstruct the administration of justice,” she said.
Trump continued to rage on social media, even after that warning by the judge.
Among his menacing statements, Trump — in all capital letters — wrote: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU.”
These new statements have prompted prosecutors in the case to seek a new protection order against Trump, who is currently the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president.
“What we see today, and tonight, is Donald Trump, despite this order by Judge Chutkan, threatening potential jurors and witnesses by saying, ‘You go after me, I’ll come after you.’ That’s a threat,” said noted presidential historian Michael Beschloss. “That’s out of a Godfather movie, that’s not out of American history.
“We are in a totally new different period,” he added. “The other thing tonight. The judge specifically said, ‘Do not attack potential witnesses,’ and what is he doing? He’s twice attacked [former vice president] Mike Pence tonight.”
Trump's posts go beyond just witness intimidation, and are meant as a message to his most violent supporters such as those who rioted at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to Jennifer Horn, former chair of the New Hampshire state Republican Party.
“We have to be clear, this is a second audience for the tweet: It is the Donald Trump January 6 posse. It is sending word out,” Horn said. “Letting all those folks who have already showed they are willing to take up arms and defense of this man — no longer president —to kind of put them on alert.
“And when he says, ‘It’s time to go after all these people who are going after me,’ they’re going to be ready to go. When I saw that tweet, I have to tell you, ‘Very quickly my thoughts went to the potential for violence,’” Horn added. “This wasn’t just about him trying to intimidate witnesses, it’s sending a be ready signal to those folks, as I just said, who have proven already that they are willing to take up arms for Donald Trump.”
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