Appeals Court Upholds Gag Order in Trump Hush Money Case
A New York appeals court has upheld a gag order that restricts former President Donald Trump from making public statements about witnesses, jurors, and other key individuals involved in his ongoing criminal hush money trial. The court denied Trump's appeal to lift the gag order, affirming that it is essential for maintaining the integrity of witness testimony and ensuring a fair trial process.
The gag order, issued by Judge Juan Merchan, prohibits Trump from commenting on the trial's witnesses, including his former attorney Michael Cohen and adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The appeals court's decision supports the order's aim to protect individuals associated with the case from potential harassment or intimidation. The court has indicated that Trump's First Amendment rights were considered but found to be outweighed by the need to safeguard the judicial process.
Trump's legal team had argued that the gag order was an unfair restriction on his rights, but their efforts to have it amended or overturned have been unsuccessful. The former president has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to alleged repayments to Cohen. The gag order also covers prosecutors, court staff, and the judge's family, although it does not prevent Trump from criticizing Judge Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg directly. Despite the restrictions, Trump has been warned that any further violations of the gag order could result in jail time, following previous violations early in the trial.
