Manhattan prosecutors ask for ‘gag order’ to contain Trump’s speech in his first criminal trial | International

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Manhattan prosecutors request gag order to protect jurors and witnesses in Trump bribery case

The Manhattan district prosecutors investigating the case of the bribe paid by Donald Trump to porn actress Stormy Daniels have requested a gag order from the judge to protect jurors, witnesses, and other individuals involved in the case. The prosecutors are concerned about Trump’s history of inflammatory and revealing statements that could potentially interfere with the ongoing criminal trial set to begin on March 25.

Trump is accused of paying $130,000 in cash to Daniels in 2016 to buy her silence about their extramarital relationship. The payment was recorded as a legal expense in his company’s accounts, with the intention of preventing any negative publicity that could harm his electoral prospects. The prosecutors consider this payment as a falsification of commercial records and a violation of campaign finance laws.

If approved by the judge, the gag order would prohibit Trump from making statements that materially interfere with the case or target court personnel, relatives, jury members, prosecutors, or even the judge himself. This move marks a significant escalation in Trump’s legal battles and clashes with the justice system.

Prosecutors argue that Trump’s public and inflammatory comments about participants in judicial proceedings pose a significant threat to the orderly administration of justice. They cite Trump’s history of outbursts and disqualifications in court, which have prompted reprimands from judges in the past.

Despite Trump pleading not guilty to the 91 criminal charges against him, his defense has criticized the gag orders imposed in previous cases, arguing that they violate his First Amendment rights to freedom of expression. The defense claims that restricting Trump’s speech hinders his ability to defend himself and communicate with the public as a presidential candidate.

In response, the prosecutor’s office led by Alvin Bragg has emphasized the necessity of the gag order, especially given that this is the first criminal trial of a former president in the history of the United States at the state level. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for Trump’s future legal battles, including potential federal charges and any presidential ambitions he may have.

As the trial date approaches, the clash between Trump’s legal team and prosecutors over the issue of free speech and the protection of the judicial process is likely to intensify, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle in the coming weeks.