Ap
The newspaper La Jornada
Friday, August 2, 2024, p. 26
New York, A New York appeals court on Monday denied Donald Trump’s request to remove the gag order in the criminal case in which he is accused of paying to conceal damaging information, rejecting the former Republican president’s argument that his conviction, issued in May, constitutes a change of circumstances which justifies the removal of restrictions.
A five-judge panel of the state’s intermediate appeals court decided that the judge presiding over the trial, Juan M. Merchan, was correct in extending parts of the gag order until Trump is sentenced, writing that The fair administration of justice necessarily includes sentencing.
The decision came a day after Trump’s lawyers attempted to file papers asking the appeals court to immediately lift the gag order. Because a decision was imminent, the court rejected the filing, which called the restrictions an obstacle unconstitutional and interfering with the election to Trump’s freedom of speech.
Kamala Harris vs convicted felon
In a copy of the eventual filing provided to The Associated Press, Trump’s lawyers wrote that the addition of Vice President Kamala Harris to the presidential race gives the matter new urgency, as she casts herself as a former prosecutor facing a convicted felon.
It is unconscionable that Harris can speak freely about this case, but President Trump cannot.wrote Trump lawyer Todd Blanche.
Blanche declined to comment on Thursday’s decision.
Merchan imposed the gag order in March, just weeks before the trial began, when prosecutors raised concerns about Trump’s habit of attacking people connected to his cases. During the trial, she held Trump in contempt and fined him $10,000 for violations, threatening to jail him if he did it again.
The judge lifted some of the restrictions in June, giving Trump freedom to comment about witnesses and jurors but not including prosecutors, court employees and family members — including his own daughter — until he is sentenced.
