More than 50 former federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials have filed a brief urging a federal judge to block Donald Trump’s plan to charge $100,000 per month for early access to his Truth Social posts. The group argues the service could violate federal criminal laws by providing traders with paid early access to potentially market-moving government information, according to fortune.com.
The 53 former officials, who collectively have over 880 years of government service, submitted the amicus brief Monday in the Southern District of New York. They support a preliminary injunction sought by The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation. The group includes former prosecutors from both Republican and Democratic administrations who worked on public corruption and integrity cases. Renata O’Donnell, senior legal counsel at the Campaign Legal Center, highlighted concerns about the president financially benefiting from his official role.
This legal challenge highlights concerns about the intersection of social media, government transparency, and insider trading laws. The case is notable for the rare bipartisan coalition of former prosecutors warning that the arrangement undermines democratic principles. The involvement of prominent organizations like The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation underscores the broader implications for press freedom and public access to government information.
The amicus brief was filed on Monday in support of a preliminary injunction in the Southern District of New York, where the case is currently pending, according to fortune.com.