Former President Donald Trump’s efforts to delay his hush money criminal trial while contesting a gag order have faced another setback as a New York appeals court judge rejected his latest request. Justice Cynthia Kern’s ruling allows jury selection for the trial to proceed next week, barring further legal action from Trump’s side.
Trump’s legal team sought to postpone the trial until a full panel of appellate court judges could review arguments regarding the gag order, which prohibits Trump from publicly discussing jurors, witnesses, and other individuals linked to the case.
They argued that the gag order infringes on Trump’s First Amendment rights, particularly as he campaigns for president and defends against criminal charges.
Former President Donald Trump (Credits: CNN)
The Manhattan prosecutors who initiated the gag order emphasized the importance of preserving the trial’s integrity and protecting individuals involved from potential harm stemming from Trump’s inflammatory remarks.
The trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, imposed the gag order last month, which was subsequently expanded to include restrictions on comments about the judge’s family after Trump’s social media attacks.
Trump’s hush money case revolves around allegations of falsifying his company’s records to conceal payments to Michael Cohen, his former lawyer, who facilitated suppressing negative stories during the 2016 campaign. Cohen’s actions included paying Stormy Daniels to silence her allegations of a past extramarital affair with Trump.
Donald J. Trump (Credits: WTOP)
Despite repeated attempts by Trump’s legal team to delay the trial and challenge the gag order, their efforts have been largely unsuccessful. The judge’s decisions reflect a commitment to upholding the trial’s integrity and ensuring fair proceedings, even in the face of intense legal maneuvering by Trump.
Trump’s persistent challenges and attacks on the judiciary underscore the contentious nature of the case and its broader implications for his political aspirations. As the trial moves forward, it remains to be seen how Trump will change the legal proceedings and their potential impact on his presidential ambitions.
