Former President Donald Trump was released from gag order restrictions that protected witnesses and jurors in his hush money case. Judge Juan Merchan lifted the restrictions, noting that the trial had ended and the jury discharged. The gag order blocked Trump from publicly commenting on jurors, witnesses, court staff, and prosecutors. The judge imposed the restrictions due to Trump’s history of attacking people tied to his legal cases, which created fear and heightened security needs.
Merchan expanded the gag order to protect family members of court staff and prosecutors after Trump attacked their family members. Prosecutors in Trump’s criminal classified documents case have also requested a gag order after Trump made threats against President Joe Biden during an FBI raid.
Although Merchan lifted the restrictions on speech regarding jurors, a separate order restricting the disclosure of juror information remains in place. Throughout the trial, Trump was held in criminal contempt 10 times for violating the gag order and fined $1,000 for each violation. The judge threatened to jail Trump if necessary to ensure compliance.
Trump was convicted on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a conspiracy involving hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. The restrictions on commenting on prosecutors and their family members, as well as those of the judge, remain in place until sentencing.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com