US elections
New York judge gags Trump ahead of hush money trial
Trump in Manhattan Criminal Court.
© Action Press
Former US President Donald Trump publicly attacked witnesses, investigators and prosecutors in his previous trials. The judge in the hush money trial now wants to prevent that. It is questionable whether Trump will stick to it.
Before the hush money trial against Donald Trump, the judge responsible imposed conditions on the US presidential candidate. He granted a request from prosecutors that Trump not be allowed to comment publicly about witnesses or court employees.
The request for a “muzzle” for Trump, was justified by pointing out that the Republican “has a long history of attacks on witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, judges and other people involved in cases against him.” Merchan decided on March 7 that the names of the jurors should only be known to a few people.
Donald Trump indicted for falsifying business records
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche declined to comment on the “gag order.” The businessman’s representatives had previously argued that this would violate Trump’s right to freedom of expression. The trial is scheduled for April 15. Trump is accused of falsifying business records related to a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. His lawyer paid her $130,000 for her silence about a sexual encounter with Trump. According to her account, this is said to have taken place in 2006. Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with the woman. However, he admitted to reimbursing the lawyer for his payment to her. Trump rejects the accusation of forgery.