D.C. judge’s comments on Trump in hush money case ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unseemly,’ experts say

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has come under fire after an expert made “inappropriate” comments about former President Trump in a media interview as Trump faces a federal trial in his district.

Senior Judge Reggie Walton of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday criticized the daughter of New York Judge Juan Marchan, who is presiding over a hush money case scheduled for trial on April 15. He appeared in an interview with CNN’s Caitlan Collins.

In an unusual media appearance for a sitting judge, Walton attended Thursday’s press conference and criticized Trump’s comments, calling them “very disconcerting.”

But legal experts told Fox News Digital that Mr. Walton’s comments were inappropriate because Mr. Trump is a defendant in Mr. Walton’s campaign in a separate lawsuit brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith. He said it was “inappropriate.”

New York judge imposes gag order on Trump in hush money robbery case

“Judge Reggie Walton is currently a sitting federal judge in a district where Donald Trump is a criminal defendant in an ongoing criminal case. He should not comment publicly in media interviews on anything related to him. No, absolutely not,” said his predecessor, Kelly Kupek Urban. Counsel to Attorney General Bill Barr and FOX News Legal Editor.

“This is another example of the disregard for any appearance of impartiality when it comes to Donald Trump, and this goes against the grain of what judges and the judicial system should be, whether you like Trump or not. ”

Trump hush money trial begins April 15th, judge rules deny motion for postponement

Marchan this week imposed a gag order on the former president and potential 2024 Republican nominee ahead of his trial next month. In a Thursday post on Truth Social, Trump named his daughter, a judge, and called her father a “passionate Trump hater” for her ties to the firm that consults Democratic candidates and causes. Suggesting that it was a “total violation”, he asked the judge to exclude it. Case.

Marchan issued a gag order against Trump on Tuesday, pointing to Trump’s “previous extrajudicial statements” and saying they posed “a substantial risk to the administration of justice.”

Marchan said President Trump has not made any public statements about potential participants, including witnesses, attorneys in the case other than Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, or court officials, prosecutors’ offices, or employees’ family members. He ordered that he could not give instructions to others.

Former President Trump speaks during a press conference at 40 Wall Street after a pretrial hearing on March 25, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Trump also mentioned a Twitter account previously owned by Marchand’s daughter that used a photo of Trump behind prison bars as its profile picture.

Walton, who oversaw the January 6, 2021 incident in his own district, told CNN he was “concerned” about Trump’s comments.

“There are judges and families who have lost their lives because of individuals who have brought cases in our courts. And to preserve our democracy, it is important that we uphold the rules. “I think the law,” he said.

Manhattan Da Bragg asks judge to impose gag order on President Trump during hush money case

New York Judge Juan Marchan is presiding over the hush money case, which is scheduled for trial on April 15th. (Mark A. Hellman/Polaris)

“The rule of law can only be maintained if there is an independent judiciary and the law applies equally to all who appear in court.

“As judges, I think it’s important that we speak up and say things that can affect the process. Without a viable court system, tyranny takes place. Because it will happen.”

Walton’s office declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital.

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John Shue, a constitutional lawyer who served in both Bush administrations, told Fox News Digital that Walton’s comments were “unseemly.”

“It would be disgraceful for either of them to publicly discuss Mr. Trump or the Trump case,” he said, “because one of Mr. Trump’s ongoing criminal cases is in his courtroom, Washington. That’s because it’s being held in the U.S. District Court in D.C.,” he said.

Shu added, “The interviewer discussed Trump’s harsh social media criticism of Judge Marchand and his daughter (which is likely within the scope of the First Amendment) and the criminal conduct faced by Judge Walton and his family. “It appears that they have mistakenly confused the real threat that is perceived as terrifying.” Therefore, speech is not protected. ”

“It’s the same real and terrifying threat that Justice Alito, Justice Coney Barrett, Justice Gorsuch, Justice Kavanaugh, Justice Roberts, Justice Thomas and their respective families had to deal with after the Dobbs draft opinion was leaked,” Schuh said. pointed out.

Crowds of protesters flocked to the homes of several majority justices for several days following the leak of the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court opinion that ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade. I was pushed. A man has been charged with plotting an assassination attempt on Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Carrie Severino, president of the Judicial Crisis Network (JCN) and former Justice Clerk Clarence Thomas, said ensuring the safety of judges and their families is critical to the rule of law.

However, she said, “Some of the people who have praised Judge Walton’s comments were surprised when there was an assassination attempt on Judge Kavanaugh and when left-wing groups illegally protested by arresting six judges. It’s surprising that they didn’t speak up.” at her home after Dobbs’ opinion was leaked. ”

Machan announced Monday that the trial will begin on April 15.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump on 34 counts of first-degree falsification of business records. Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.