Special Counsel Jack Smith and his prosecutors were apparently spooked by a recent Truth Social post written by former President Donald Trump. 

According to Breitbart, Trump essentially vowed revenge on the seemingly weaponized Justice Department, and shortly after Smith's team filed a request with the judge overseeing the case to issue a protective order to prevent the former president from sharing certain information.

The four-page filing was issued to prevent "improper dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public," by the former president or his lawyers.

Trump has never shied away from voicing his opinion on his own social media platform, which has caused similar responses by prosecutors in the past.

What's happening?

In the Truth Social post, one of many criticizing the Justice Department and Smith, Trump wrote, "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU."

President Trump says, “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!” BOOM! 💥 That’s not a threat, its a promise!

Lets not forget, this is the second Democrat administration who weaponized the Justice Department against Donald Trump — HE’S HAD IT! And who can blame him? #GOTRUMP 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/jBtQAEiEhu

— Righteous⚡️Crusader (@Craftmastah) August 4, 2023

Smith, in the filing, cited past examples of Trump sharing information that Smith doesn't think was allowed to be shared.

"Such a restriction is particularly important in this case because the defendant has previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him," Smith argued.

He added, "And in recent days, regarding this case, the defendant has issued multiple posts either specifically or by implication including the following, which the defendant posted just hours ago."

"If the defendant were to begin issuing public posts using details or, for example, grand jury transcripts obtained in discovery here, it could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case."

Political speech

Breitbart reported that a spokesperson for the former president wrote off the Truth Social post as "political speech," adding that it wasn't a reference to his latest federal indictment.

"The Truth post cited is the definition of political speech, and was in response to the RINO, China-loving, dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs, like the ones funded by the Koch brothers and the Club for No Growth," the Trump spokesperson said.

The former president has long maintained that the indictments against him, both federal and state, are political "witch hunts" and an attempt to derail his 2024 presidential campaign.

Trump could soon see a fourth indictment out of Georgia when District Attorney Fani Willis makes a charging announcement in the coming weeks.