Donald Trump will have the opportunity to voice his opinions about the witnesses in his hush-money case, Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen, during the debate on Thursday night. According to the AP, Judge Juan Merchan partly lifted Trump's gag order in the case on Tuesday, allowing him to discuss witnesses but prohibiting him from discussing prosecutors, court employees, or their families. Trump may also discuss the jurors, CNN claims, as long as he withholds any personally identifiable information.
Just weeks before the trial started, on March 26, Merchan imposed the gag order. He then extended it to family members when Trump disparaged the judge's daughter for serving as a political adviser for a Democratic candidate. The trial of Trump, who repeatedly faced contempt charges for breaking the gag order, will conclude on July 11. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wants to maintain the limitations until then. Bragg's office said last week that they had received a "tsunami of threats." Trump is still free to disparage Bragg and Merchan verbally despite the gag order.
Steven Cheung, the campaign spokesperson for Trump, criticized the judge on Tuesday for not rescinding the full order, labeling him as "highly conflicted," according to CNBC. Cheung said that the choice was "unlawful" and "blatantly un-American" as it gags Trump before the discussion even begins.
Just weeks before the trial started, on March 26, Merchan imposed the gag order. He then extended it to family members when Trump disparaged the judge's daughter for serving as a political adviser for a Democratic candidate. The trial of Trump, who repeatedly faced contempt charges for breaking the gag order, will conclude on July 11. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wants to maintain the limitations until then. Bragg's office said last week that they had received a "tsunami of threats." Trump is still free to disparage Bragg and Merchan verbally despite the gag order.
Steven Cheung, the campaign spokesperson for Trump, criticized the judge on Tuesday for not rescinding the full order, labeling him as "highly conflicted," according to CNBC. Cheung said that the choice was "unlawful" and "blatantly un-American" as it gags Trump before the discussion even begins.
