Ex-White House lawyer Ty Cobb anticipates that former President Trump’s “narcissism” will be the catalyst for his imprisonment. While Cobb doesn’t expect immediate consequences for Trump’s violations of the gag order, he foresees that Trump’s self-centered tendencies will eventually lead him to cross the line repeatedly until he tests the patience limits set by Judge Tanya Chutkan.
“I don’t think his first or second violation of the gag order will find him sent to jail, but I think ultimately, his narcissism will get the best of him. And he will violate it until he finds out what the limits of Judge Chutkan’s patience are,” Cobb said during an appearance on CNN on Monday.
Cobb, who served in the Trump administration from July 2017 to May 2018, expresses confidence that the court will uphold Judge Tanya Chutkan’s limited gag order in Trump’s federal case related to alleged efforts to retain power after the 2020 election loss. The current gag order, temporarily on hold pending a ruling from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, restricts Trump and his legal team from using language that targets specific individuals involved in the case.
During the appeal, prosecutors highlighted Trump’s social media posts targeting individuals in his case, while Trump argues that a gag order infringes on his free speech rights. If he loses the appeal, Trump vows to take the case to the Supreme Court.
Responding to the suggestion that violating the gag order could lead to a night or two in jail, Cobb agrees, emphasizing the possibility. The three-judge panel overseeing Trump’s appeal consists of judges appointed by Democratic presidents—Patricia Millett and Cornelia Pillard by President Obama, and Brad Garcia by President Biden.
The judges, displaying skepticism and aggressiveness, questioned both sides during the hearing on whether to reinstate the gag order. Cobb acknowledges the judges’ frustration with the interpretation of the order but believes they have the skill to navigate the complexities and define the boundaries of speech that are restricted to preserve the judicial process’s integrity.
The gag order, initially imposed by Judge Chutkan in response to prosecutors’ concerns about Trump’s behavior, faced a turbulent journey. It was temporarily lifted shortly after implementation, allowing Trump’s legal team to present arguments against restrictions. However, it was later reinstated and is currently on hold pending the appeals court’s decision.
