In the ongoing legal battle surrounding former President Donald Trump, his lawyers have filed a response to prosecutors' earlier filing, arguing against the need for a gag order in Trump's Washington, D.C. election-subversion criminal case. The response, submitted on Friday, disputes the relevance of any alleged threats made by Trump against Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron or his court staff.

According to the filing, Trump's lawyers stated that there has been no evidence presented by the prosecution of supposed threats or harassment towards prosecutors, court staff, or potential witnesses. They argue that this lack of solid evidence fails to justify the imposition of a prior restraint, suggesting that the need for a gag order is unfounded.

The back-and-forth between the two parties is in response to a Thanksgiving filing submitted by special counsel Jack Smith's prosecutors. The prosecutors sought to present a related filing from the ongoing civil fraud trial Trump faces in New York as evidence in the Washington, D.C. case.

Citing the court's discussion on threats and harassment, the prosecutors included Exhibit E, along with related documents, which consisted of a sworn affidavit by a court officer. The court officer details the relentless barrage of threats and harassment she receives when Trump attacks her online. This occurrence happened just one day after the court had discussed the threats she had received regarding the case.

The filings have emerged as Trump aims to nullify a partial gag order that restricts his public comments about the election-subversion criminal case. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued the order in October, prohibiting Trump and related parties from making statements that "target" attorneys, staff, court personnel, and supporting personnel.

The battle over the gag order continues to unfold, with both Trump's lawyers and the prosecution pushing their respective arguments. The court will ultimately decide on the necessity and validity of the gag order, taking into consideration the evidence and statements provided by both sides.