Washington: Donald Trump released an online post on Friday that appeared to threaten retaliation against anyone who pursues him, prompting the US Justice Department to ask a federal judge overseeing the criminal case against him in Washington to intervene.

A day after Trump pleaded not guilty to charges of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss and obstruct the peaceful transfer of power, prosecutors asked US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to issue a protective order in the case. The order  which is distinct from a so-called "gag order"  would restrict the details that Trump and his legal team could publicly disclose regarding the investigation conducted by special counsel Jack Smith.

Such protective orders are common in criminal cases, but according to the prosecution, they are "particularly important in this case" given that Trump has made public comments on social media about the witnesses, judges, lawyers, and other parties involved in the cases he is currently facing.

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They specifically cited a post from earlier Friday on Trump's Truth Social platform in which he said, in all caps, "If you go after me, I'm coming after you."

A "substantial" amount of evidence, "much of which includes sensitive and confidential information," is ready to be given to Trump's legal team, according to the prosecution.

If Trump started posting about grand jury transcripts or other evidence provided by the Justice Department, prosecutors warned the judge, it might have a "harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case."

The protective order sought by prosecutors aims to keep Trump and his attorneys from revealing information obtained from the government to anyone besides members of his legal team, potential witnesses, the witnesses' attorneys, or other parties authorised by the court. "Sensitive materials," such as grand jury witness testimony and information obtained through sealed search warrants, would be subject to stricter restrictions.

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The indictment, which was unsealed last week, charges Trump with brazenly conspiring with allies to disseminate rumours and devise plans to reverse his election defeat to Vice President Joe Biden while his legal challenges failed in court.

Trump is accused of conspiring to defraud the US and to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's victory in the election.
Trump described the case as a "persecution" meant to harm his 2024 presidential campaign after his court appearance on Thursday, calling it a "very sad day for America."

The early favourite in the 2024 Republican presidential primary is the subject of his third criminal investigation this year. But this is the first instance in which an effort has been made to hold Trump accountable for his attempts to hold onto power during the tumultuous weeks between his election loss and the assault by his supporters on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

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According to Smith, the prosecution will push for a "speedy trial" against Trump in the election case, and a proposed trial date is anticipated to be announced next week.

Trump will already go on trial in March in the New York case involving hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign, and in May in the Florida federal case involving secret documents discovered at his Mar-a-Lago estate.