Former President Trump says the gag order against him should be lifted, given he was convicted in his so-called hush money trial. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg opposes that.
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(New York, NY) – Former President Trump has asked Judge Juan Merchan to terminate the government gag order imposed against him in the so-called “hush money” case. Trump says because the trial ended with him being convicted for falsification of business records, the gag order can be ended.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the case against Trump, wrote a letter of his own asking that the gag order be kept in place. He argues this is necessary because the gag order will “avoid threats to the fairness of the trial itself,” as well as uphold the “broader ‘obligation to prevent actual harm to the integrity of the proceedings.'” The DA also says the order intends to “protect the orderly administration of this court” and to avoid “risk[s] to the administration of justice.”
Bragg says the order should remain in place through sentencing and any post-trial motions. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11. Trump’s attorneys say the concerns of the Manhattan DA don’t justify the gag order. They also note that witnesses have publicly discussed the case, as has President Biden — Trump’s leading political opponent.
Twelve jurors convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsified business records in connection to a nondisclosure agreement signed with adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.
