Read the latest from The Independent’s Eric Garcia in Washington, DC.

The federal Washington, DC judge in the 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump rejected the notion put forward by lead defence lawyer John Lauro that a protective order barring Mr Trump from speaking about the evidence in the case would be an “enormous advantage” to President Joe Biden.

Judge Tanya Chutkan told Mr Lauro during the protective order hearing on Friday that Mr Trump’s campaigning “has to yield to the orderly administration of justice”.

“That’s how it’s going to have to be,” she added.

Gustaf Kilander reports on the rest of the exchange between attorney and judge.

Donald Trump notched a win in the fight over a protective order in the 2020 election case as the judge ruled that some of the evidence that will be provided to him in the pre-trial discovery process won’t be restricted from dissemination if it’s not deemed “sensitive” by the government.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled on Friday that the protective order will only apply to sensitive materials such as grand jury transcripts, witness interview records, and other documents that could identify witnesses or be used to poison the pool of potential jurors who will be responsible for deciding the ex-president’s fate when he goes on trial next year.

Andrew Feinberg filed this report from the E Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, DC.

Mr Garland announced that David Weiss, who has served as the US Attorney for Delaware since 2018, would serve as special counsel and he had informed relevant members of Congress about the nomination.

Eric Garcia reports from Washington, DC.

Former President Donald Trump has again lashed out at Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on his social media platform, ahead of a week in which it is expected he will be indicted for election interference in the Atlanta, Georgia area in 2020.

Returning to a theme he has deployed before, he attacked Ms Willis’s professional record, calling Atlanta “one of the deadliest communities in the US” with “gang members roaming the streets”.

He also accuses Ms Willis of using the potential indictment as a “campaign and fundraising CON JOB”.

I hear that RACIST Fulton County (Atlanta) District Attorney “Phoney”Fani Willis, who weakly presides over one of the deadliest communities in the U.S., with thousands of murderers, violent criminals & gang members roaming the streets while going untried, free, & are treated with “kid gloves,” is using a potential Indictment of me, and other innocent people, as a campaign and fundraising CON JOB, all based on a PERFECT PHONE CALL, AS PRESIDENT, CHALLENGING ELECTION FRAUD – MY DUTY & RIGHT!

Late on Friday night, Mr Trump broke an unusually prolonged silence on Truth Social — in which he had predominantly reposted videos — by sharing his two cents on the naming of David Weiss as special counsel in the Justice Department’s investigation of Hunter Biden.

David Weiss was picked by the two Democrat Senators from Delaware under “Blue Slip.” He would not have been picked by me. But I have a great idea. Why don’t they use Deranged Jack Smith. Weiss has been investigating Hunter for 4 years, giving him the “sweetheart” deal of all sweetheart deals. But a brilliant Judge in Delaware saw through it all. Now, I read, the Department of Injustice wants a new Judge and Jurisdiction. But so do I, with far stronger reasons than Hunter & Crooked Joe. MAGA!!!

Former prosecutor Renato Mariotti has claimed Jack Smith is using insights he gained from his role at the Hague to bring Donald Trump to justice for his role in the 2020 efforts to overturn the election.

Maroosha Muzaffar reports.

Ever heard of Section Three of the 14th Amendment?

It’s going to be a talking point in this election cycle thanks to the work of two conservative law professors.

Abe Asher has the full story.

Donald Trump’s lead attorney made a series of TV and media appearances in the days after the former president was federally indicted for three criminal conspiracies and the obstruction of the 2020 presidential election.

John Lauro said his client’s alleged actions were protected by the First Amendment. He floated a possible defence strategy in an upcoming trial. And he claimed that the former president, who is accused of committing crimes while in office, is “immune” from the case that federal prosecutors have brought against him.

Donald Trump reacted furiously on Thursday to a proposed trial date of 2 January in special counsel Jack Smith’s case against the former president for allegedly trying to overthrow the 2020 election result.

He made the comments to Eric Bolling during an appearance on the Maga-friendly television network Newsmax, which had to end the interview with an awkward disclaimer reminding viewers that it accepts the results of the 2020 election.