In a recent decision, New York’s highest court has denied Donald Trump’s appeal on the gag order in his hush money case, as reported on Tuesday. The gag order, issued by Judge Juan Merchan in the criminal case against Trump, remains in place. Trump has requested the termination of the gag order ahead of his sentencing scheduled for July. The former president was convicted of 34 counts of business fraud related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche declined to comment on the matter. In March, Judge Merchan granted a gag order that prevented Trump from making public statements about witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff, or their families. However, Trump was not restricted from commenting on the judge or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Merchan fined Trump $10,000 and found him in criminal contempt for violating the gag order 10 times during the trial. Trump has 30 days to file a motion for leave to appeal, which could lead to the court hearing the case. Trump’s attorneys argued that the case raises substantial constitutional questions of importance.
If the Court of Appeals deems the gag order unconstitutional, it could undermine the fines Trump received for violating it. Bragg’s office urged the court to dismiss the appeal, citing Trump’s history of making threatening and inflammatory remarks. Additional details on this story have been updated.
