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The Manhattan judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's hush-money case on Tuesday vacated key parts of a gag order intended to shield jurors and witnesses from his verbal attacks. However, an order protecting the jurors' identities remains in place.

Key Changes in the Gag Order

In a written ruling, Justice Juan M. Merchan said Trump may publicly comment about the panel that convicted him on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and about the witnesses who took the stand. The ruling marks a significant shift, as Trump can now discuss the trial more freely. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had asked the court to keep the gag order intact concerning statements about the jury but agreed that protections for witnesses are no longer necessary now that the trial is over. This modification reflects the changing dynamics of the case post-verdict.

NY Judge Partially Lifts Trump Gag Order : Protections Still in Place

Prosecutors and staff in Bragg's office, as well as their family members, remain shielded by the gag order until Trump is sentenced on July 11, Justice Merchan said. The ongoing protection highlights the continued sensitivity around those directly involved in the prosecution. The judge defended the legality of his gag order to this point but reluctantly decided he could no longer restrict Trump's speech about the jury. "While it would be this court's strong preference to extend those protections, the court cannot do so," Justice Merchan ruled.

NY Judge Partially Lifts Trump Gag Order : Judge's Reasoning

"While it would be this court's strong preference to extend those protections, the court cannot do so," Justice Merchan ruled. "Circumstances have now changed. The trial portion of these proceedings ended when the verdict was rendered, and the jury discharged," the judge added. This acknowledgment underscores the judge's recognition of the evolving legal landscape following the trial's conclusion.