(RepublicanJournal.org) – Former President Donald Trump’s hush-money trial in Manhattan came to a close, but his legal troubles are far from over. Before that trial started, Judge Juan Merchan issued a gag order barring him from attacking witnesses, court staff and their families, jurors, and some of the prosecution team. During the course of the case, he was reprimanded for violating it at least 10 times and fined for each occasion. Now, the state’s high court has ruled on the matter.
On Tuesday, June 18, the New York Court of Appeals dismissed Trump’s challenge to the gag order. It was a simple one-line statement that his appeal lacked a “substantial constitutional question.” Because of this, the gag order remains in effect, even though the case is over. Trump is not allowed to make comments based on the original order, which Judge Merchan issued on March 26. His team tried several times, unsuccessfully, to have it lifted citing it violated his First Amendment rights.
I early June, Trump’s legal team submitted a motion to remove the gag order citing the case’s end. However, Merchan has issued a public ruling on it as of the time of writing.
On May 30, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony charges of covering up hush-money payments he made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to hide the affair from the public during his 2016 campaign. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 11 and faces prison time and hefty fines, though he’s likely to receive a lighter sentence such as probation or home detention, the latter of which could seriously hinder his efforts to campaign in the months leading up to the election.
Trump has vowed to appeal the decision, but cannot file a motion to do so until sentencing is complete. He is still facing several other charges in federal and state cases.
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