In response to Donald Trump’s public criticisms targeting the family of Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan, a revised gag order now prohibits Trump from making derogatory statements about the families of those involved in his hush-money criminal trial. This amendment came after Trump accused Merchan’s daughter, a Democratic political consultant, of influencing the judge’s decisions on his social media platform. The expanded gag order aims to protect the integrity of the judicial process by preventing intimidation and fear among participants, including family members.
Trump, who faces allegations of falsifying business records related to payments for covering up negative stories during the 2016 campaign, remains free to critique Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the prosecutor in the case. However, any violation of the gag order could result in Trump being held in contempt, with potential penalties including fines or imprisonment.
The case, one of four criminal charges against Trump, is notable as it marks the first-ever criminal trial of a former president. Trump denies the accusations and his legal team has contested the payments were legitimate legal expenses. Amidst his presidential campaign, Trump’s lawyers are challenging the gag order’s restrictions on his speech, indicating plans to seek Merchan’s recusal from the case again based on new grounds.
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