In a significant development in New York, the judge presiding over the criminal proceedings against former President Donald Trump has implemented a gag order. This directive significantly limits Trump’s ability to publicly discuss individuals connected to the forthcoming trial. The heart of the trial concerns allegations surrounding a payment made in silence to a well-known adult film actress in 2016.
Judge Juan Merchan responded to a request from February by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for the gag order. Bragg’s request was backed by various statements Trump had issued concerning multiple legal matters. Judge Merchan observed that Trump’s remarks substantially exceeded mere self-defense against criticisms by public figures. He characterized Trump’s comments as “threatening, inflammatory, and denigrating,” targeting individuals either involved in the legal proceedings or fulfilling their civic responsibilities.
The request by Bragg’s office was partly influenced by Trump’s conduct during another legal battle in New York—a civil fraud trial that concluded with a staggering $464 million judgment against Trump and his co-defendants. Throughout this trial, Trump launched public attacks against a crucial witness, actions that previously led to a gag order to prevent him from disparaging the judge’s clerk.
Judge Merchan highlighted that Trump’s statements had not only instilled fear in the targeted individuals but also necessitated the allocation of additional security measures to investigate threats and safeguard those individuals and their families.
Under the new gag order, Trump is prohibited from making public comments about potential witnesses, prospective jurors, court staff, attorneys in the district attorney’s office, and their family members. However, Trump retains the right to speak about Bragg and Judge Merchan. The trial is set to commence on April 15.
In a recent social media post, Trump criticized Judge Merchan’s adult daughter, referencing her employment with a Democratic consulting firm. In 2023, Trump’s legal team unsuccessfully argued for Judge Merchan’s recusal from the case.
Trump faces charges of falsifying business records linked to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. Daniels claims she had an affair with Trump years before and was paid for her silence regarding the story. Trump has denied the affair and entered a plea of not guilty, asserting that the prosecution is a politically charged attempt to block his potential return to the presidency in November.