Manhattan prosecutors have accused Donald Trump of violating a gag order in his hush-money criminal case by attacking the judge’s daughter on social media. The prosecutors have asked the judge to clarify the scope of the gag order and direct Trump to stop making statements about family members. Trump’s lawyers argue that the gag order does not prohibit him from commenting on the judge’s daughter, who is a political consultant, and that the prosecution is misinterpreting the order.
The trial, set to begin on April 15, involves allegations that Trump falsified payment records to cover up negative stories during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump denies wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records. In his posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the judge’s daughter of working against him and falsely claimed she posted a photo showing him behind bars. A spokesperson for the court system stated that Trump’s claim was false and the social media account he referenced did not belong to the judge’s daughter.
The gag order prohibits Trump from making public statements about jurors or potential witnesses in the case, such as his former lawyer Michael Cohen and porn star Stormy Daniels. It also bars statements meant to interfere with or harass the court’s staff, prosecution team, or their families. While Trump is allowed to criticize Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the prosecutors want his family members off-limits as well. A violation of the gag order could result in Trump being held in contempt of court, fined, or jailed.
Prosecutors have urged the judge to make it clear to Trump that the gag order extends to protecting family members of those involved in the case. They want him to warn Trump to stop his recent conduct and comply with the order. Trump’s lawyers have raised constitutional concerns about restricting his speech while he is campaigning for president and fighting criminal charges. If prosecutors continue to push the issue, it could complicate trial preparations with jury selection scheduled to begin soon.
Overall, the situation highlights the tension between free speech rights and legal restrictions in high-profile criminal cases. Trump’s comments on social media have raised concerns about potential violations of the gag order and the impact it could have on the fairness of the trial. The judge will need to clarify the scope of the order and ensure that all parties involved understand their obligations to comply with its restrictions. This case is likely to continue to draw attention as the trial date approaches and legal arguments unfold.
