WASHINGTON Donald Trump s verbal and written attacks on participants in the criminal case against him pose a grave threat to the judicial process and warrant a limited gag order, the judge overseeing the Jan. 6 coup attempt case against him wrote Tuesday.

Since his indictment, and even after the government filed the instant motion, defendant has continued to make similar statements attacking individuals involved in the judicial process, including potential witnesses, prosecutors, and court staff, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote in her three-page order formalizing her ruling from the bench Monday.

Defendant has made those statements to national audiences using language communicating not merely that he believes the process to be illegitimate, but also that particular individuals involved in it are liars, or thugs, or deserve death, she wrote. Undisputed testimony cited by the government demonstrates that when defendant has publicly attacked individuals, including on matters related to this case, those individuals are consequently threatened and harassed.

She has barred the former president from attacking prosecutors and their staff, courthouse staff and witnesses or their testimony. While the order is technically directed at everyone associated in the case and also protects defense lawyers from attacks, Mondays two-hour hearing was based entirely on Trumps conduct ever since special counsel Jack Smith brought a four-count indictment against him in August for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and remain in power.