The Manhattan DA is seeking a partial gag order on Donald Trump for the upcoming Stormy Daniels case, citing a ‘imminent threat’ to the proceeding and documenting threats to himself since Trump was charged.
Amid Trump’s ever-changing legal circumstances, the upcoming trial involving hush payments to Stormy Daniels is scheduled to commence next month, adding to the ongoing legal battles during the remaining presidential primaries.
Bragg’s office referred to the partial gag order issued by a federal judge in Trump’s January 6 case, along with a New York judge’s ruling that prohibited Trump from mentioning court staff following attacks on his chief clerk.
Bragg Documents Trump’s Inflammatory Legal Remarks
According to Bragg’s 331-page filing, Trump has a history of making public and inflammatory remarks about individuals involved in legal proceedings against him, such as jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and court staff.
The individual has a history of utilizing social media, speeches, rallies, and other public statements to criticize those he views as opponents.
This involves remarks aimed at courts, judges, law enforcement officials, public officials, and even individual jurors in other cases.
The statements made, along with the reactions they provoke from the defendant’s supporters and associates, present a serious and immediate risk to the smooth running of this legal process and a high chance of causing harm.
Bragg highlighted the potential risk to jurors and included an affidavit from the head of his security detail discussing the increase in threats.
The office described the requested gag as specifically designed to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming trial while still allowing the defendant plenty of chances to express themselves, including discussing this case.
The statement mentioned that no other options would sufficiently safeguard the trial from potential bias caused by the defendant’s unrestricted public comments.
The document highlights that Trump is confronted with multiple charges related to an alleged effort to sway the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied the allegations.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, strongly criticized the ‘restrictive gag order, which, if approved, would violate President Trump’s First Amendment rights, as well as the rights of all Americans to hear from him and his ability to defend himself.’
Trump, who secured victory in the South Carolina primary on Tuesday and is now on the Michigan ballot, has effectively utilized past setbacks to his advantage, denouncing a ‘witch hunt’ as he maintains a strong position in Republican polls.
Trump’s legal team filed a document to prevent Michael Cohen and Stephanie Clifford from testifying. Cohen negotiated the payment and Clifford is also known as Stormy Daniels.
They claimed Michael Cohen is untruthful. Cohen shared with the New York Times that, ‘As the March 25th date approaches, Donald and his legal team will try to come up with new ways to postpone this case.’
Trump faced charges of falsifying business records linked to $130,000 in payments to Daniels before the 2016 elections to silence her about their alleged affair, which Trump still denies.