In a daring step, the legal team representing Donald Trump has officially asked that the gag order imposed by a New York judge be lifted. The order prevents the former president from speaking publicly about jurors, witnesses, and any parties connected to his criminal case. This case has garnered a lot of public and media interest, culminating in Trump’s conviction for fabricating records to hide a possible sex scandal.
Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, Trump’s attorneys, sent a letter to Judge Juan M. Merchan on Tuesday. They said that the gag order violates Trump’s First Amendment rights, especially now that the trial has ended. The attorneys stressed that Trump must participate in “unrestrained campaign advocacy,” particularly in light of President Joe Biden’s recent remarks in public on
the verdict and ongoing criticisms from key witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels.
Blanche and Bove pointed out that the gag order needs to be lifted ahead of the first presidential debate scheduled for June 27. “The continued restrictions are unjustifiable,” they asserted, noting the importance of Trump being able to discuss his case and conviction openly.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the matter.
Judge Merchan initially imposed the gag order on March 26, weeks before the trial began, responding to prosecutors’ concerns about Trump’s tendency to attack those involved in his legal proceedings. The order was later expanded to include comments about Merchan’s family after Trump posted derogatory remarks about the judge’s daughter on social media. While Trump is allowed to comment on Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the order prevents him from making statements about court staff and the prosecution team.
Following his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records—charges stemming from efforts to suppress news of a hush money payment to Daniels just before the 2016 election—Trump faces sentencing on July 11. Despite denying any sexual encounter with Daniels, the conviction has added another layer of complexity to Trump’s legal and political battles.
Prosecutors had initially advocated for the gag order to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings and prevent jury prejudice. Although the order was intended to last for the trial’s duration, it remains unclear when it will officially expire.
Blanche expressed to the Associated Press that he believed the gag order would end with the trial’s conclusion and sought clarification from Judge Merchan. “It’s a bit like the theater of the absurd at this point,” Blanche remarked. “The trial is over, and the witnesses are no longer relevant in the same way. We need clarity on when these restrictions no longer apply.”
Trump has consistently adhered to the gag order, albeit reluctantly, stating last Friday at Trump Tower, “I’m under a gag order, nasty gag order.” Despite his compliance, he didn’t hold back in labeling Cohen, his former lawyer turned adversary, as “a sleazebag.”
During the trial, Merchan fined Trump $10,000 for contempt of court due to a gag order violation and warned of potential jail time for future breaches. However, Trump’s pre-trial comments about Cohen and Daniels, which included derogatory terms, did not result in additional sanctions, as Merchan acknowledged Trump’s right to respond to public criticisms from Cohen.
As the legal and political saga continues, all eyes are on Judge Merchan’s next move and whether Trump will regain his full freedom of speech as he campaigns for the presidency.
Source : Donald Trump’s lawyers ask judge to lift New York gag order in hush money case (msn.com)
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