The judge in former President Donald Trump's New York fraud case has imposed a partial gag order on all parties to stop verbal attacks against court members.
The move came after Trump recently criticized a court member on social media.
Judge imposes partial gag order in Trump Org. trial blocking parties from verbal attacks against court staff https://t.co/OVAKQeFEc1
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) October 3, 2023
"Engoron said his order came after a defendant 'posted to a social media account a disparaging, untrue and personally identifying post about a member of my staff,'" Fox News reported.
"Engoron added that 'personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, not appropriate' and warned they would not be tolerated," it added.
The trial judge, without naming Trump, addressed the court on the matter, saying “one of the defendants” posted a “disparaging, untrue and personally-identifying post” about his staff... [that] had been emailed out to “millions of other recipients.”https://t.co/XJC59BznJT
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) October 4, 2023
"In a Truth Social post that went up while Trump was sitting in the courtroom Tuesday, Trump targeted Engoron’s principal law clerk — who was sitting just a few feet away — calling her 'Schumer’s girlfriend' and reposting a picture of her alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a fellow New York Democrat," the Hill wrote.
"It is unclear what connection, if any, Schumer has with the clerk. Schumer’s office has not responded to a request for comment from The Hill," it continued.
Judge issues gag order on Trump after he criticizes court clerk photo with Chuck Schumer - TheBlaze
UNBELIEVABLE 🤬 https://t.co/VR1jIKzt6m
— ☆ ℂ𝕛 • 𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕝 ℕ𝕠𝕥 ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕪 ☆ (@ShotsRangOut) October 4, 2023
"Her numbers are fraudulent. She's a fraud. Her numbers are fraudulent and this case should be dismissed," he said, referring to Attorney General Letitia James.
"The former president also confirmed Tuesday that he would be testifying in his defense at the trial, which is expected to last about three months," the Blaze reported.
The case seeks a $250 million fine against the former president and his Trump Organization, along with a ban on doing business in the state of New York.
The financial consequences could be devastating for the business but Trump's lawyers claim that they will prevail in the high-profile case.
The case is expected to last until December, potentially keeping Trump off of the campaign trail for several weeks. The case is in addition to multiple additional charges against the former president in Washington, Florida and Georgia.
