Trump Appeals Gag Order, Calls It ‘Third World Authoritarian Tactic’

Former President Donald Trump has filed an appeal with the New York Court of Appeals to overturn a gag order restricting his comments about his ongoing criminal trial. The gag order, imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, limits Trump from speaking about jurors, attorneys, court staff, and the judge’s family, which Trump argues violates his First Amendment rights.

Details of the Gag Order

The gag order was put in place to ensure a fair trial and to protect those involved in the proceedings from potential threats or harassment. However, Trump and his legal team view this as a severe infringement on his right to free speech. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, criticized the gag order, labeling it “unconstitutional and un-American.”

“The threat to throw the 45th President of the United States and the leading candidate in the 2024 presidential election in jail for exercising his First Amendment rights is a Third World authoritarian tactic typical of crooked Joe Biden and his comrades,” Cheung stated.

Background of the Case

Trump is currently facing 34 counts of falsifying business records related to alleged hush-money payments. The gag order has been a significant point of contention, with Trump receiving fines for violating it multiple times. The former president has openly criticized the jury selection and the trial's pace, arguing that the process is biased against him.

In an interview with Real America’s Voice, Trump expressed frustration with the jury composition, stating, “You know [the judge is] rushing the trial like crazy. Nobody’s ever seen a thing go like this. That jury was picked so fast — 95% Democrats. The area’s mostly all Democrat. You think of it as a — just a purely Democrat area. It’s a very unfair situation, that I can tell you.”

Appeal and Previous Rulings

Trump's appeal follows a decision by a lower appeals court that upheld the gag order. The court asserted that Judge Merchan had appropriately balanced Trump’s First Amendment rights with the need to ensure a fair trial and protect those involved from potential harm.

“We find that Justice Merchan properly weighed petitioner’s First Amendment rights against the court’s historical commitment to ensuring the fair administration of justice in criminal cases, and the right of persons related or tangentially related to the criminal proceedings from being free from threats, intimidation, harassment, and harm,” the appeals court stated.

Potential Consequences

Judge Merchan, a known donor to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, has hinted at the possibility of imprisonment should Trump continue to violate the gag order. This potential outcome has only added to the charged atmosphere surrounding the trial.

Conclusion

As Trump’s appeal moves forward, the legal and political implications of the gag order will continue to be a focal point. The former president’s battle against the restrictions on his speech underscores the ongoing tensions between judicial processes and political freedoms. Share this article to keep others informed about this critical legal battle, and consider subscribing to our newsletter for ongoing updates.