New York judge lifts parts of Trump gag order, allowing him to comment on jury and witnesses
NEW YORK, NY (CBS NEWS) –The New York judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” prosecution partially lifted a gag order that limited what he could say about those involved in the case, saying Trump can now speak about witnesses and the jury, as long as he doesn’t reveal jurors’ identities.
The decision by Justice Juan Merchan leaves in place restrictions limiting Trump’s ability to comment on prosecutors, court staff and their families. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office did not object to lifting the limits on comments about witnesses, but urged Merchan to keep the other portions of the order in place, including restrictions on commenting on the jury at least through sentencing on July 11.
Merchan wrote that it was his “strong preference” to protect jurors from further public comment by Trump, but can no longer bar him from talking about them generally now that the trial is over. However, he left in place a provision preventing disclosure of personal information about them, including their identities.
“[T]here is ample evidence to justify continued concern for the jurors,” Merchan wrote.
Under the gag order, Trump has been able to criticize Merchan and Bragg themselves, but cannot target others who work for them or their families. Merchan justified maintaining those protections until sentencing, writing that they “must continue to perform their lawful duties free from threats, intimidation, harassment, and harm.”
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