Isn't that in response to the defense getting their way on the victims are not allowed to be referred to as such?
Yes.
"This is a long-held opinion of mine, which very few judges, I guess, share with me. I think the word victim is a loaded, loaded word,"
The prosecution requested that the defence be barred from referring to the people Kyle shot as "rioters, looters or arsonists." since none of them were charged with any of those crimes. The judge denied that, and also barred them from being referred to as "victims".
The prosecution asked for a video to not be shown, of Kyle beforehand, being tossed a bottle of water by police, as that could sway the jury to see Rittenhouse as an extension of the police force. Some say that could sway a jury either way, but Prosecution wanted it barred...the judge is allowing it.
The judge also denied the prosecution's request to bar the publication of images of the witnesses, who fear for their safety because it's such a high-profile, contentious case. He denied it, because months ago one witness shared on social media that he was being subpoenaed.
The defense is allowed to submit any evidence about any vandalism or other illegal activities by the people who were shot, but are not allowing the prosecution to show any photos of video of Kype associating with white supremacist group members, including travelling to Miami to meet with the Proud Boy's national president.
I haven't been able to find if the prosecution would be able to submit video from 15 days before the shootings in which Rittenhouse said he would like to shoot some men he thought were shoplifting from a pharmacy, or video evidence that Rittenhouse attacked a woman in June 2020 as she was fighting his sister (two things the prosecution requested).