Recent development, a New York appeals court has rejected Donald Trump’s appeal to lift the gag order imposed by New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron in his ongoing civil fraud trial. The order, initially established on October 3, prohibits Trump from making public verbal attacks against court staffers.
Justice Engoron’s decision came after Trump targeted the judge’s law clerk on social media, leading to a barrage of harassment for the clerk. Following the order, Trump continued to violate it, including posting a photo of the clerk on his Truth Social platform, resulting in a wave of threatening calls and messages.
An intermediate appeals court judge temporarily paused the order during the appeals process, providing Trump with an opportunity to further criticize Justice Engoron on social media. However, this week’s ruling eliminates that pause, reinstating the original gag order.
Trump’s legal team has also sought a mistrial, arguing that the gag order infringes on his First Amendment rights to free speech. New York Assistant Attorney General Kevin Wallace dismissed this claim, stating it lacks merit.
It’s crucial to note that this decision is distinct from a separate upcoming ruling by a different appeals court on a gag order issued by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in the criminal trial related to Trump’s actions following his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.
