A state appeals court on Thursday reinstated the gag order barring former President Donald Trump from speaking publicly about court personnel in his civil fraud trial in New York.
Earlier this month, Appeals Judge David Friedman had temporarily lifted the limited gag order against Trump, 77, over fears it was a violation of his constitutional right to free speech.
But a four-judge panel of New York’s First Department of the Appellate Division overturned Friedman’s ruling in a brief decision Thursday that provided no explanation.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the $250 million case against Trump, issued two rulings in October barring the 2024 Republican presidential candidate and his lawyers from speaking publicly about court personnel.
Engoron then proceeded to fine Trump a total of $15,000 after finding that he had violated the order twice.
The judge, during Thursday’s trial, said he would “rigorously and vigorously” enforce the order now that it was reinstated.
The ruling was first imposed after Trump posted that the judge’s top law clerk, Allison Greenfield, claimed she was running the trial against him and falsely called her “Schumer’s girlfriend,” including a photo of her with the Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). ).
An appeals court reinstated former President Donald Trump’s gag order. Via REUTERS
It doesn’t stop anyone from criticizing the judge, only his staff.
Last week, a lawyer for Engoron told the appeals court that he and his key aide had been receiving daily threats, including anti-Semitic insults, since Trump’s post about her.
But Trump’s team responded Monday, arguing that while the threats are “vile,” they do not pose “imminent harm,” and Trump’s right to free speech is even more important given that he is the front-runner for the nomination. Republican presidential
“Tragic day for the rule of law,” Trump lawyer Christoper Kise told The Post on Thursday. “In a country where the First Amendment is sacrosanct, President Trump may not even comment on why he believes he cannot get a fair trial.”
“It’s hard to imagine a more unfair process and it’s hard to believe this is happening in the United States.”
The trial is in its ninth week and Trump’s side is currently presenting its defense case.
Eric Trump and his father are expected to be called to the witness stand on Wednesday and Dec. 11, respectively.
Engoron said Thursday that once testimony concludes, both sides would have until early January to file motions, with closing arguments scheduled for Jan. 11.
The judge said he expects to issue his verdict in the non-jury case in late January.
With postal cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn