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.
