The office of Manhattan Democratic Rep. Alvin Bragg on Wednesday defended a gag order against former President Donald Trump, calling for it to remain in place at least through Trump’s sentencing trial in late July and post-trial motions.
Trump’s lawyer Asked Judge Juan Merchan lifted the order on Tuesday. letter Prosecutors argued that now that the trial is over, “the concerns expressed by the government and the Supreme Court do not justify restricting President Trump’s First Amendment rights.” Opposedcountered that the order was intended to protect more than just court proceedings.
“As People will explain in more detail in our brief of opposition to the Defendants’ upcoming motions, these interests remain undiminished, and the Court has an obligation to protect the integrity of these processes and the fair administration of justice, at least through the sentencing hearings and the resolution of post-trial motions,” Attorney Matthew Colangelo, a former senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official in the Biden administration, wrote in a letter to Marchan.
Trump’s sentence is scheduled to be handed down on July 19, just days before the Republican National Convention. (Related: There are plenty of reasons why Trump’s conviction should be overturned, but the appeals courts aren’t so friendly.)
BREAKING: The Manhattan district attorney is opposing a move to lift a gag order in Trump’s hush money lawsuit.
They argue the case should survive the ruling and through post-trial motions. pic.twitter.com/6N1XUhw2VJ
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) June 5, 2024
Trump’s lawyers argued Tuesday that Trump needs to “campaign unfettered” in light of Biden’s comments about the court ruling and his decision to campaign outside of court, as well as ongoing attacks on Trump by witnesses including Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen.
They also mentioned the upcoming presidential debate on June 27.
The prosecution’s proposed timetable for considering lifting the order follows that of other post-trial motions and, if adopted, would ensure that the order would remain in effect during argument. The prosecution asked for a June 13 deadline for defense motions and a June 27 deadline for the prosecution’s final response.
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