Staff Reports
In a stunning turn of events, a New York appeals court judge has decided to let the whole Appellate Division First Department mull over the possibility of easing a massive gag order against former President Donald Trump. This could lead to a delay in the criminal trial as the court weighs Trump’s appeal to lift the gag order.
The saga began when Trump took New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan to task in an appeals court to contest the judge’s heavy-handed gag order. Justice Merchan, who is overseeing the New York criminal case, slapped the gag order in place after it came to light that his daughter had ties to conspiracy theorist Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).
… I'm not overly optimistic about this… Remember, the corrupt, Adam Schiff, has this judge in his back pocket…
Judge Grants Donald Trump‘s Request to Reconsider Gag Order https://t.co/v42qoKstMj via @BreitbartNews
— Joe Biden Showered With His Own Daughter (@realGregKarnes) April 10, 2024
Trump, often a vocal figure, found himself silenced by the gag order, which bars him from publicly discussing trial witnesses, any lawyer besides Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), court and district attorney staff, and even potential jurors. The order essentially zipped Trump’s lips and left him unable to defend himself against attacks from expected witnesses like Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels. Trump’s defense lawyer, Emil Bove, argued that the gag order does him irreparable harm and prevents him from criticizing the prosecution and calling for the judge’s recusal based on his daughter’s conduct.
The full Appellate Division First Department could make a decision on lifting the gag order as soon as Monday, which is when the trial is set to kick off. Trump’s lawyer raised the point that the gag order is not much different from a similar order that stood in Trump’s federal election interference case, casting doubt on the fairness of the legal system. Meanwhile, the prosecution emphasized Trump’s “uncontested history” of making derogatory remarks about witnesses, adding more fuel to the fire.
The court has set deadlines for written arguments from both Trump and the prosecution, with further consideration on whether to keep the case in Manhattan also looming. These developments come as jury selection for the trial is scheduled for April 15 in New York City.
The case, labeled as New York v. Trump, No. 71543-23, is currently being heard in the New York Supreme Court for New York County. With the legal battle brewing and tensions running high, it seems that the courtroom drama is far from over. Stay tuned for more twists and turns in this high-stakes showdown.
