Judge Juan Merchan has decided to partially lift the gag order imposed on former President Trump following his recent conviction on all counts. The order, which Trump and his legal team have vigorously contested since the trial’s inception, had intensified as the proceedings concluded last month. Their efforts culminated in a bid to lift the gag order before the upcoming June 27 presidential debate.
Merchan’s original gag order prohibited Trump from publicly discussing witnesses, their potential participation, counsel involved in the case (excluding Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg), court staff, DA personnel, and their family members. However, in light of the trial’s conclusion, Merchan has now permitted Trump to discuss protected witnesses and jurors.
Despite this partial lifting, Trump remains restricted from commenting on individual prosecutors, court staff, and their families until his sentencing scheduled for July 11.
In his reviewed order reported by Fox News on Tuesday, Merchan underscored that the initial gag order aimed to safeguard judicial proceedings’ integrity. He acknowledged Trump’s appeal against the order, which had been previously rejected.
Merchan emphasized that while the court typically prefers extending such protections, the current circumstances compelled a different decision based on the recent appellate court rulings.
The complete termination of the gag order is slated for after Trump’s sentencing. This development follows the New York Court of Appeals’ recent dismissal of Trump’s request to lift the gag order, citing no significant constitutional questions directly implicated.
The former president, also the presumptive Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential election, faced 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, stemming from charges brought by DA Alvin Bragg. The six-week trial concluded with Trump’s conviction.
Trump and his defense team have consistently argued against the gag order, asserting violations of both his and his supporters’ First Amendment rights. Steven Cheung, spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, criticized Merchan’s recent decision, characterizing it as unconstitutional and restrictive to Trump’s ability to freely discuss alleged conflicts involving Judge Merchan and purported evidence implicating a “Crooked Joe Biden-directed Witch Hunt.”
Trump’s sentencing on July 11 coincides closely with the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he is expected to be officially nominated as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate.
This latest development in the legal saga surrounding Trump underscores ongoing tensions regarding free speech rights, judicial oversight, and political maneuvering as the 2024 presidential race intensifies.
