Judge Orders Trump to Cease Exposing His Daughter’s Democratic Fundraising
A court ruled on Monday that Donald Trump must refrain from making verbal attacks on family members of a New York judge and others involved in his upcoming trial concerning business transactions. This ruling came after the former president criticized the judge’s daughter, who is a Democrat fundraiser.
The court issued an expanded gag order stating that all individuals participating in the legal proceedings must consider the safety of not only themselves but also their loved ones due to the potential for personal attacks. The New York prosecutors argued that Trump’s comments were intended to intimidate potential witnesses and requested that the existing gag order, which prohibits Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses and court personnel, also extend to family members.
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo emphasized that family members of trial participants should be off-limits and expressed concern over Trump’s attempts to instigate fear and harm towards them. Trump’s lawyers countered by questioning the judge’s daughter’s work as a conflict of interest and unsuccessfully attempting to have the judge removed from the case.
The trial is scheduled to begin on April 15 in a New York state court in Manhattan, where Trump faces charges related to concealing a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to charges of falsifying business records.
Trump could face consequences if he violates the gag order, which does not prevent him from criticizing the judge or the Manhattan District Attorney involved in the case. This is one of four criminal indictments Trump is facing as he prepares to challenge Biden in the upcoming election.
A similar gag order is in place for Trump’s criminal case in Washington, D.C., related to his efforts to investigate election fraud in the 2020 election.
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