On Thursday, a New York appeals court rejected former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn a limited gag order in his “hush money” case.
A panel of five judges from New York’s mid-level appeals court decided that the gag order remained necessary even though Trump’s trial has concluded, as it is important for the fair administration of justice, which includes sentencing.
Trump’s sentencing, initially set for last month, has been delayed to September 18 following the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity.
Judge Juan Merchan had imposed the gag order in March, banning Trump from publicly discussing jurors, witnesses, court staff, and individual prosecutors, except for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Merchan held Trump in criminal contempt ten times, fined him $10,000, and warned of potential imprisonment for further violations.
In June, some restrictions of the gag order related to jurors and witnesses were lifted, but the provisions preventing statements about court staff, prosecutors, and their families remained. The Appellate Division justified these remaining restrictions due to ongoing threats against Bragg and his staff, noting that the evidence showed continued significant and imminent threats.
In response, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the gag order, calling it unconstitutional and claiming it restricts Trump’s ability to speak freely about the case.
Cheung described the order as “blatantly un-American” and said it aims to silence Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
Additionally, Trump has renewed his bid to have Judge Merchan removed from the case, citing an alleged conflict of interest related to Merchan’s daughter and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records connected to a 2016 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.
