Former President Trump remains under a gag order as of June 18, 2024, despite having already been convicted of business record falsification.
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(New York, NY) – Despite having already been convicted of business record falsification by 12 Manhattan jurors, the Criminal Court refuses to let former President Trump speak freely. On Tuesday, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Juan Merchan kept his government gag order in place. It bars Trump from addressing certain things surrounding the trial, such as the credibility of witnesses.
Trump is set to be sentenced on July 11 by Judge Merchan. That’s four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Many expect Merchan — who consistently ruled in favor of the prosecution during the trial and who has a daughter that is a high-powered Democratic strategist — to sentence Trump to prison. Probation and a fine are also an option — as is house arrest.
By rights, Trump should not get prison given his lack of previous convictions, but that may be less of a factor in this case. Trump had called on Merchan to recuse himself given he previously donated to Democrats, but the judge refused. Now, he’s upheld the gag order, which could last through the appeals process.
