In New York, Judge Juan Merchan has granted the Manhattan district attorney's request for a limited gag order on former President Donald Trump in his criminal hush money case.
The order, which restricts Trump's public statements about witnesses and others involved in the case, comes after Judge Merchan deemed Trump's previous statements as "threatening, inflammatory, denigrating," and posing a risk to the administration of justice.
The gag order prevents Trump from making public statements about witnesses, prospective jurors, court staff and their families, and other lawyers except for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Judge Merchan highlighted that Trump's statements had caused fear among targeted individuals, leading to increased security measures for their protection.
Trump, who pleaded not guilty last April to a 34-count indictment related to falsifying business records in a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The gag order follows Trump's disparaging remarks about Michael Cohen, Merchan, and Merchan's daughter after the judge rejected Trump's bid for a trial delay and set the trial's start date for April 15.
Despite Trump's efforts to delay the trial further, citing prejudicial media coverage, the judge emphasized the urgent need to address potential harm and scheduled jury selection to begin on April 15 in New York City. Cohen, in response to the gag order, expressed gratitude, stating that he had faced relentless attacks from Trump's supporters.