Judge Lifts Parts of Trump Gag Order
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Facts
- The judge who presided over former US Pres. Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal case lifted portions of a gag order Tuesday, permitting the presumptive Republican presidential nominee to criticize witnesses and others involved in his trial.1
- Judge Juan Merchan, who issued the gag order in March over claims Trump had made 'threatening, inflammatory [and] denigrating' comments, kept in place a gag order on Trump speaking about prosecutors and family members of the judge until Trump is sentenced July 11.2
- Restrictions on the disclosure of juror information are also still in place.2
- With the gag order amended days before Trump is scheduled to debate Pres. Joe Biden on Thursday, the former president is now free to criticize his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, and adult film actress Stormy Daniels — each of whom testified against Trump in this trial.3
- Last month, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. He stood accused of funneling payments to Daniels through Cohen in order to cover up an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election.1
Sources: 1New York Times, 2USA Today and 3Associated Press.
Narratives
- Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Red State. Although this is a partial victory for Trump, it's indeed a victory — especially ahead of the presidential debate, where he has to be allowed to defend himself against questions about his convictions. His First Amendment rights are still being violated as parts of the gag order remain in place, but at least he can go on the offensive when necessary.
- Anti-Trump narrative, as provided by Daily Kos. Although everyone knew the complete gag order couldn't last forever, one has to worry that this might not be the best time to loosen Trump's restrictions. The connection between Trump's words and his followers' violence is well-documented, and keeping in mind the light punishment he has received for violating the gag order in the past; this could turn ugly.