Rep. Ogles Proposes the ‘Allow Trump to Speak Act’

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., has introduced a bill that aims to prevent “activist judges” from imposing gag orders on defendants during trials, whether criminal or civil.

Ogles’ proposed legislation, known as the “Let Trump Speak Act,” specifically targets Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over former President Donald Trump’s business records trial in New York. Merchan has fined Trump for violating his gag order 10 times, each instance costing $1,000 and carrying the threat of imprisonment for further breaches.

In a video released on Monday promoting his bill, Ogles stated, “We all know that the justice system is broken. It’s weaponized against you, against me, and against our president, Donald Trump. We’ve seen it all over the country — woke district attorneys and activist judges attacking our former president.”

“Now, his trial in New York, this activist judge [Merchan] has created a gag order. Well, my bill, the ‘Let Trump Speak Act,’ does something that is unprecedented. It would prevent these types of activist judges from implementing a gag order and would provide Donald Trump with the right to take legal action or sue,” Ogles added.

Merchan’s gag order prohibits Trump from making public comments about witnesses, prosecutors, court personnel, or Merchan’s family, including his daughter, Loren.

Ogles was present at Trump’s trial last week, alongside several other House Republicans.

“This is not a prosecution; this is a persecution,” Ogles stated outside the Manhattan courthouse on Friday. “If a former president can be targeted by a woke and corrupt judge, then you can be targeted as well. Mr. President, we got your back.”