Trump Gag Order Expansion in Hush-Money Case After Judge’s Daughter Targeted

Justice Juan Merchan expanded the gag order in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case on Monday, a decision prompted by Trump’s online criticisms of Merchan’s daughter.

According to the BBC, gag order expansion forbids the former president from targeting the families of both Merchan and Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg, a restriction Trump’s campaign has criticized as “unconstitutional.”

Trump’s legal team contested the broadened gag order, arguing it infringes upon his free speech rights. Despite these objections, Trump refutes allegations of concealing payments to an adult film actress before the 2016 election.

Initially, the gag order prevented Trump from disparaging court personnel, jurors, and witnesses. However, following Trump’s remarks about Loren Merchan, the judge’s daughter, Bragg advocated for extending these limitations.

Trump denounced Loren Merchan on Truth Social, labelling her a “Rabid Trump Hater” and accusing her of conspiring against him, alongside claims of her profiting from efforts to “Get Trump.”

The New York state court system clarified that the social media account Trump mentioned had been disassociated from Loren, who operates a digital marketing agency with various clients, including Democratic candidates.

Justice Merchan, in his ruling, highlighted the tangible threat to the judicial process’s integrity, stressing the necessity of the gag order to protect court participants and their families from undue fear and intimidation. He recognized Trump’s right to free speech and defence but condemned the attacks as purposeless and potentially harmful.

Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, criticized the order, emphasizing the public’s right to hear directly from Trump. The former president’s history of attacking judicial figures involved in his legal challenges underscores the tensions between his campaign activities and legal restrictions.