The ongoing legal battle surrounding former President Trump’s classified documents case has taken an ominous twist, plunging prosecutors into a tumultuous storm of threats and harassment, according to a recently released report.
The Washington Post, citing a government official and experts on extremism, disclosed on Thursday that prosecutors involved in the case have been subjected to relentless harassment and threats both online and in various other forms. Trump loyalists have resorted to posting the names of these prosecutors and government employees on the internet, while also vociferously shouting their names at protests, the experts detailed.
While the weeks following Trump’s indictment over the possession of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida have not witnessed an overall increase in threats against law enforcement, the report revealed the alarming challenges faced by the prosecution team.
Efforts have been made by the Justice Department (DOJ) to shield the identities of those involved in Trump-related cases from being publicly disclosed. However, the names of the prosecutors have inadvertently appeared in public court filings, raising concerns about their safety.
Trump himself has not shied away from publicly denouncing the investigators, launching repeated verbal attacks against them. Special counsel Jack Smith, overseeing the probe, has been a prime target of Trump’s criticism.
In a fiery Fourth of July post on Truth Social, Trump called Smith “a sick puppet” that should be “put to rest.”
“As my Poll numbers go higher & higher, the Communists, Marxists, & Fascists get more & more CRAZY with their ridiculous Indictments & Election Interference plans & plots, all controlled by an out of control, & very corrupt, DOJ/FBI,” Trump wrote. They have WEAPONIZED Law Enforcement in America at a level not seen before. Deranged Jack Smith, who is a sick puppet for A.G. Garland & Crooked Joe Biden, should be DEFUNDED & put out to rest. Republicans must get tough or the Dems will steal another Election. MAGA!”
This is not the first time law enforcement officials have faced threats over Trump’s legal problems. Last year, following the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago, reports emerged of an upsurge in threats against them. The FBI swiftly responded, labeling these threats as “reprehensible and dangerous” and asserting its commitment to assess and address them.
Insiders familiar with the matter have revealed that prominent DOJ figures like Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Special Counsel Jack Smith have long had security teams protecting them. Additionally, security measures have been extended to other individuals as deemed necessary.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declined a request to comment on the report.