A judge presiding over Donald Trump’s scandalous New York hush money case has issued a limited gag order on the former president. However, just two days after the order, Trump attacked the judge’s daughter via social media.
Judge Juan Merchan enforced the limited gag order to stop Trump from attacking family members of the court or potential witnesses. That said, because of Trump’s actions, some of the prosecutors have asked the judge to clarify the order.
“[T]his Court should make abundantly clear that the March 26 Order protects family members of the Court, the District Attorney, and all other individuals mentioned in the Order,” read the letter.
“Furthermore, the Court should warn defendant that his recent conduct is contumacious and direct him to immediately desist,” continued the letter.
The prosecutor's request for clarity came after Trump attacked the judge’s daughter under the belief that she had posted about her desire to see Trump in jail. It was later revealed that the account had been “abandoned” and had been manipulated by someone else.
“The People believe that the March 26 Order is properly read to protect family members of the Court. But to avoid any doubt, this Court should now clarify or confirm that the Order protects family members of the Court, the District Attorney, and all other individuals mentioned in the Order,” said prosecutor Joshua Steinglass.
The lawyer expressed serious concern over the potential witnesses that could be scared off by Trump’s harsh words.
“That is, potential trial witnesses and prospective jurors who are not currently the subject of defendant's invective will likely fear having themselves and their family members be subject to similar attacks," the letter said.
“This fear is not hypothetical: in the course of preparing for trial, multiple potential witnesses have already expressed grave concerns to the People about their own safety and that of their family members should they appear as witnesses against defendant,” continued the letter.
Trump is charged with falsifying business records and using his former attorney Michael Cohen to send “hush money” to Stormy Daniels—a former adult film actress--before the 2016 election. The jury selection for the case is set for April 15.
Trump has faced a bevy of lawsuits and charges. Recently, his lengthy civil fraud trial received a verdict, with him being barred from doing business in New York for three years and ordered to pay a total of $435.5 million.
