Judge Broadens Trump Gag Order Following Social Media Posts
In a recent development in the hush-money case involving former President Donald Trump, a New York judge has broadened the scope of a gag order to include members of the judge's and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's families. This expansion comes after Trump targeted Judge Juan M. Merchan's daughter, Loren Merchan, in posts on his Truth Social platform, where he accused her of being a "Rabid Trump Hater."
The revised gag order, which was originally imposed to prevent public statements about witnesses, jurors, and others connected with the case, now specifically prohibits Trump from making derogatory comments about the families of the judge and the D.A. The restrictions were intensified in response to concerns that such attacks could have a chilling effect on the proceedings. Trump's lawyers have argued that his statements are protected political speech, but Judge Merchan emphasized the importance of ensuring a fair trial environment.
Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records, with allegations that he incorrectly reported payments to his former lawyer Michael Cohen. These payments were purportedly made to suppress negative stories during the 2016 presidential campaign. The former president has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A violation of the gag order could lead to Trump being held in contempt of court, which carries potential penalties of fines or imprisonment. The trial is scheduled to commence on April 15.
