Trump requests judge to remove gag order following N.Y. verdict and conclusion of trial
In a filing released on Tuesday, Donald Trump has requested a judge to remove the gag order placed on him during his New York criminal trial, in which he became the first convicted former US president.
Judge Juan Merchan initially imposed a limited gag order before the trial, prohibiting Trump from making public comments about jurors, witnesses, prosecutors, and court personnel. The order was later expanded to include Trump’s family and that of the prosecutor.
Trump was fined $10,000 by the Manhattan court for violating the order on 10 occasions and was warned of potential jail time for openly defying the judge’s decision.
Prior to the gag order being put in place, Trump used his Truth Social platform to attack potential witnesses and prosecutors involved in his trial.
Last week, jurors found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a sex scandal during the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign. He is set to be sentenced on July 11.
In a letter from Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche to the judge on Monday, Blanche requested the termination of the gag order, arguing that the trial’s conclusion no longer justified restrictions on Trump’s First Amendment rights. Blanche emphasized that Trump is a leading candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
Blanche also cited comments made by President Joe Biden criticizing Trump as a reason to lift the gag order. Biden labeled Trump as a “convicted felon” seeking the presidency, stating that the campaign had entered uncharted territory.
