Former White House aide Stephanie Grisham, who is representing former President Donald Trump, has asked a judge to extend a gag order preventing Trump from discussing a lawsuit filed against him by two Capitol Police officers. The motion, filed on Monday, cited a “deluge of threats” against Trump as the reason for the request.
The lawsuit in question was filed by Officers James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, who claim they suffered physical and emotional injuries during the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. The officers allege that Trump incited the attack with his rhetoric and are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
Grisham argued in her motion that allowing Trump to speak about the lawsuit would only intensify the threats against him, putting his safety at risk. She also noted that the case is still in its early stages and that any comments from Trump could prejudice potential jurors.
The gag order was originally put in place by Judge Amit Mehta in September, but is set to expire on October 15th. Grisham is asking for an extension until the end of the trial, which is scheduled to begin in May 2023.
While Trump has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, he has continued to claim that he did nothing wrong on January 6th and that the election was stolen from him. His supporters have rallied around him, viewing the lawsuit as another attempt to silence him.
It remains to be seen whether Judge Mehta will grant the extension of the gag order. In the meantime, the lawsuit continues to be a source of contention and controversy, highlighting the ongoing fallout from the events of January 6th.