Trump's New York criminal trial judge expanded a partial gag order Monday night after the former president insulted his daughter online. State Judge Juan Merchan says Trump cannot criticize his family, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's, or the witnesses, prosecutors, court workers, and their relatives he was ordered to "refrain" from mentioning last week.
Trump "Assaulting judges and attorneys' families is futile. Defendant's hatred makes everyone assigned or asked to participate feel like they and their family are 'fair game' "Merchan said Monday. "The threat to judicial integrity is no longer plausible. Threat is genuine."
After hearing Defendant's previous attacks, the average spectator must infer that if they become engaged in these proceedings, even remotely, they should fear for themselves and their families. Concerns like this undermine justice and the rule of law "Merchan said.
Trump's lawyers argued in a Monday brief that his repeated attacks on Merchan's daughter were protected political speech, while Manhattan prosecutors asked Merchan to quiet Trump's hostility.
Trump's attorney said the likely GOP presidential nominee was seeking to pressure the court, not interfere with the trial or "cause harm to anyone". "President Trump’s comments concerning Your Honor’s daughter are, properly understood, a criticism of the Court’s prior decision not to recuse itself," said the brief. Trump advised Merchan to drop the lawsuit last year.
"President Trump’s social media posts amplified defense arguments regarding the need for recusal that have been, and will continue to be, the subject of motion practice," read the file.
Merchan refused to retire in August after consulting the state courts' Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics regarding his daughter's job. The committee found no connection between the judge's relative and the relative's business and the DA's case.
Counsel and parties before the judge are not commercial clients, parties, or witnesses. The investigation found no evidence that the case's outcome could damage the judge's relative, business, or interests.”
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