Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan imposed a gag order on Donald Trump as part of the Stormy Daniels hush money trial.
Trump’s statements during the trial were “threatening, inflammatory, [and] denigrating,” according to the judge.
“Such inflammatory extrajudicial statements undoubtedly risk impeding the orderly administration of this Court,” Merchan added.
CNBC reported that the “gag order does not specifically bar Trump from criticizing the judge.”
A Trump spokesperson told Newsweek that the gag order prevents Trump from “engaging in core political speech, which is entitled to the highest level of protection under the First Amendment.”
“Worst of all, the gag order violates the civil rights of over 100 million Americans who follow President Trump and have a First Amendment right to receive and listen to his speech,” the spokesperson stated. “American voters have a fundamental right to hear the uncensored voice of the leading candidate for the highest office in the land. President Trump will keep fighting for our country and our Constitution.”
Leading up to the trial, Trump called the case a “witch hunt” and a “hoax.”
🚨BREAKING: Trump makes statement as he enters NY courtroom in case brought against him by DA Alvin Bragg:
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 25, 2024
"This is a witch hunt. This is a hoax." pic.twitter.com/BF4KWAPByE
Trump previously received a gag order from Judge Tanya Chutkan in the case involving Trump’s alleged attempts to interfere with the 2020 election.
The judge claimed, “This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses,” emphasizing that her concern lies with “language that presents a danger to the administration of justice.”
