Title: Manhattan Court Considering Gag Order Against Trump to Preserve Orderly Trial Proceedings
In the ongoing criminal case against Donald Trump involving hush money payments in Manhattan, prosecutors have petitioned the court to impose a gag order on the former president. The request was made in light of Trump’s past habit of publicly disparaging potential witnesses, jurors, lawyers, and other individuals involved in the trial, which has resulted in a substantial number of threats to the court and related entities.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office outlined Trump’s history of making inflammatory comments regarding judicial proceedings against him in a court filing on Monday. They emphasized that these remarks, along with the anticipated reactions from Trump’s supporters and allies, pose a significant threat to the orderly administration of the criminal trial and have the potential to cause material prejudice.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office argued that Trump’s past public statements concerning court proceedings against him have been a source of concern, as they may deter potential witnesses from coming forward and could potentially influence the jury pool. The office also highlighted that Trump’s comments might result in disruptions to the court, leading to additional costs for the administration of justice and jeopardizing the fair trial for all parties involved.
The court is currently considering the motion to impose a gag order on Trump, and a decision regarding the matter is expected soon. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Background: In April 2018, Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer, pleaded guilty to making illegal hush money payments on behalf of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, who claimed they had extramarital affairs with Trump. In August 2018, Cohen implicated Trump in the payments during his testimony before Congress. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office began investigating the case and brought criminal charges against Trump in July 2021.
Trump’s comments regarding the investigation have been consistent with his past pattern of attacking individuals and institutions involved in legal proceedings against him. In this particular case, Trump has denounced the investigation as politically motivated and accused the Manhattan District Attorney’s office of pursuing a baseless case. His supporters have also expressed their allegiance to him, leading to threats against potential witnesses and other individuals involved in the trial.
