A New York appeals court on Thursday denied President Donald Trump’s motion to lift a gag order in his hush money criminal case, rejecting the Republican president’s argument that his May conviction “constitutes a changed situation” and therefore justifies lifting the restriction.
A five-judge panel of the state’s intermediate appeals court ruled that Judge Juan M. Marchan was correct to extend some gag orders pending Trump’s sentencing, writing that “the fair administration of justice necessarily includes sentencing.”
Melchan issued the gag order in March, just weeks before the trial was set to begin, after prosecutors expressed concern that Trump had a habit of attacking people involved in his case.
AP
During the trial, the judge held Trump in contempt of court, fined him $10,000 for the violation and threatened him with jail time if he did it again.
The judge lifted some restrictions in June, allowing Trump to speak freely about witnesses and jurors, but barred prosecutors, court officials and family members, including his own daughter, from the trial until the verdict was reached.
Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing, was originally scheduled to be sentenced on July 11 but Judge Marchan postponed the sentence until September 18, if necessary, while he considers a defense request to have his conviction thrown out following the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity.
