A New York judge is set to preside over arguments on Tuesday regarding allegations that former President Trump breached a gag order imposed in his hush money case.
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecutors contend that Trump has contravened the order, which prohibits him from targeting witnesses, prosecutors, court personnel, and the judge’s family, on ten occasions.
They seek a $1,000 fine for each infraction and a reminder of potential imprisonment if Trump persists in disregarding the order. Additionally, they request that the judge hold him in contempt.
Donald Trump (Credits: AP News)
Assistant District Attorney Chris Conroy emphasized last week that Trump is aware of the April 1 order, citing various posts he made. Most of the purported breaches occurred on Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he commented on potential witnesses. The gag order does not preclude Trump from criticizing the judge or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
In one post from April 10, Trump thanked a former lawyer for adult film actress Stormy Daniels for “exposing the truth” about individuals he termed “sleazebags”—apparently referencing Daniels and his former lawyer Michael Cohen, both expected witnesses.
Another post criticized Cohen as a “disgraced attorney and felon,” suggesting that a former Manhattan prosecutor, Mark Pomerantz, should face prosecution.
Trump has strongly contested the gag order, framing it as evidence of unfair treatment in his inaugural criminal trial. He asserted that the order restricts his constitutional right to speak, despite his regular interactions with reporters in the courthouse since the trial commenced.
Donald Trump (Credits: NY1)
Although Trump has challenged the order’s constitutionality, it remains in effect pending resolution. His legal team vehemently denies prosecutors’ assertions of violations, arguing that the cited posts fail to demonstrate deliberate breaches.
Attorney Emil Bove maintained that the posts were within Trump’s rights, citing Cohen’s own critiques of the former president as evidence that Trump’s remarks were campaign-related. Cohen, a consistent Trump critic, has recently shared posts disparaging him.
