Judge Cannon denies motion from 24 red states opposing Trump gag order

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon has denied a motion from 24 states that sought to defend former President Donald Trump.

On May 24, special counsel Jack Smith filed a motion asking Cannon to impose a "gag order" after Trump suggested law enforcement agencies that searched his Mar-a-Lago property "were complicit in a plot to assassinate him."

Cannon initially rejected Smith's request, but he filed it again on May 31.

"A condition of release that prohibits the defendant from making statements posing a significant, imminent, and foreseeable danger to law enforcement agents participating in the investigation and prosecution of this case is warranted and necessary here," prosecutors wrote in a filing.

On Sunday, 24 states with Republican attorneys general asked Cannon for permission to file arguments on Trump's behalf.

The traditionally Republican states included Iowa, Florida, West Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

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"Courts have recognized that appointment of amici curiae is appropriate when the amici have a 'special interest' or can provide assistance to the court," a motion from the states said.

Just a day later, Cannon quickly denied the request from the 24 states without explaining why.

Some experts have suggested that Cannon, a Trump appointee, may grant Smith's request for a limited gag order.