A recent development in the District of Columbia indicates that the Trump Administration is seeking to overturn newly-imposed gag orders associated with a pending federal lawsuit regarding the District’s elections.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump filed an appeal to overturn two gag orders imposed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson earlier this month. According to court documents, the orders associated with the pending case, D.C. Council of Election Case No. 17-CV-908, sought to bar the filing of any public documents related to the dispute on the grounds that the discussion of the case could prejudice voting in the upcoming primary election.
The appeal made by the Trump administration argued that the gag orders were too broad and could unfairly limit campaign-related activities associated with the primary down-ballot races. The White House also argued that the this would potentially damage the interests of their campaign by reducing their exposure to the public.
The District of Columbia and the Department of Justice have both opposed the appeal, arguing that the release of information related to the case could create public confusion about who is eligible to vote in the state. The DOJ has also argued that it would be an affront to the principles of judicial integrity for the Trump administration to attempt to interfere with the case.
The dispute is the latest legal battle to arise from D.C.’s primary elections. In February, the Trump campaign contested the results of the primary, contending that certain absentee ballots had been accepted without proper verification. The judge presiding over the case has yet to issue a ruling, meaning the gag orders imposed earlier this month are likely to remain in effect until after the primary election.
While the ultimate outcome of the appeals remains to be seen, it is clear that the Trump administration’s involvement in the case has once again sparked a debate around the importance of judicial oversight in elections. Regardless of the final outcome, it is unlikely that either side will soon forget the controversy created by the latest twist in an increasingly explosive electoral battle.