Appeal for gag order in hush money case involving Donald Trump denied
A recent ruling by a New York appeals court rejected former President Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss the limited restraint order in his New York criminal “hush money” case.
A group of five judges from New York’s intermediate appeals court dismissed Trump’s claim that the restraint order was no longer needed since the former president’s trial had ended, stating that ensuring “fair administration of justice necessarily involves sentencing.”
Trump’s sentencing, which was initially set for last month, was postponed until Sept. 18 due to the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity.
Judge Juan Merchan enforced the restraint order in March, prohibiting Trump from publicly discussing jurors, witnesses, court personnel, and specific prosecutors involved in the case except for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Merchan found Trump in criminal contempt ten times for violating the restraint order, fined him $10,000, and warned of imprisonment if he defied the order again.
In June, Merchan lifted parts of the restraint order related to jurors and witnesses, but maintained the portion restricting comments about court staff, prosecutors, and their families.
The Appellate Division of New York concluded that the remaining sections of the restraint order were warranted, in part due to ongoing threats against Bragg and his team.
MORE: Trump restraint order partially lifted in hush money case
“Contrary to petitioner’s claims, the People’s evidence presented in opposition to his motion in Supreme Court reveals that threats against District Attorney staff persisted after the jury’s verdict and remained a significant and immediate concern,” the ruling stated.
In reaction to the decision, Trump campaign representative Steven Cheung stated, “Former President Trump continues to vigorously contest Acting Justice Merchan’s ruling to retain portions of the unconstitutional Restraint Order, which aims to silence him from discussing Judge Merchan’s disqualifying conflicts and the compelling evidence further exposing the Harris-Biden Witch Hunt. The restraint order is flagrantly un-American as it continues to silence President Trump, the prominent contender in the 2024 Presidential Election.”
Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony charges of altering business records related to a 2016 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in an effort to enhance his chances in the 2016 presidential race.