New York state’s highest court on Tuesday denied Donald Trump’s rapid appeal of the gag order that limited his speech during his criminal hush money trial, finding it did not raise serious constitutional issues.
Dispensing with Trump’s challenge in a few words, the Court of Appeals rejected the former president’s argument that his free speech rights were violated, ruling that “no substantial constitutional question is directly involved.” The decision dismissed Trump’s attempt at a so-called automatic appeal, a court official said, but he could seek permission from the court to challenge the gag order through a longer process.
NY High Court Denies Trump’s Gag Order Appeal : Gag Order Controversy
Justice Juan M. Merchan put the restrictions on out-of-court statements in place after finding Trump’s verbal attacks on jurors, witnesses, prosecutors, and others threatened the integrity of the criminal proceedings. The judge found that Trump repeatedly violated his gag order, ultimately holding him in criminal contempt ten times and fining him $10,000. Justice Merchan threatened Trump with jail time for any further infractions.
