Judge extends gag order on Trump’s legal team in fraud trial.
OAN’s Stephanie Stahl
12:56 PM – Saturday, November 4, 2023
The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial has broadened a gag order within the trial to include Trump’s legal team, following prolonged discussions regarding the judge’s interactions with his law clerk during court proceedings this week.
Judge Arthur Engoron had initially imposed a gag order on Trump after the former president criticized the judge’s law clerk on social media.
Trump has subsequently incurred two fines for breaching this gag order.
On Friday, Engoron expanded the gag order to Trump’s legal team, barring them from making any additional remarks regarding private discussions between the judge and his staff, whether inside or outside the courtroom.
“Since the commencement of this bench trial, my chambers have been inundated with hundreds of harassing and threatening phone calls, voicemails, emails, letters and packages. The First Amendment right of defendants and their attorneys to comment on my staff is far and away outweighed by the need to protect them from threats and physical harm,” the judge wrote.
The judge emphasized that any breach of the order would lead to serious sanctions.
Engoron asserted his right to seek counsel from his clerk, underscoring that Trump’s legal team is not entitled to knowledge of their communications.
“She’s a civil servant, she’s doing what I ask her to do.” Those notes are “confidential communications from my law clerk,” Engoron said on Thursday.
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Why did Judge Engoron decide to impose a gag order on Donald Trump and his legal team?
Is a violation of court rules and may result in further penalties. He also stated that the order is necessary to ensure a fair and impartial trial.
The decision to extend the gag order comes after Trump’s repeated criticism of the judge’s law clerk on social media. Engoron found these remarks to be inappropriate and potentially harmful to his staff. In response, he initially imposed the gag order on Trump, prohibiting him from making any further comments about the trial or the judge’s staff.
However, Trump disregarded the order and made additional remarks, resulting in fines for breaching the order. This prompted the judge to take further action and expand the order to Trump’s legal team. The new order prohibits them from discussing any private interactions between the judge and his staff, whether inside or outside the courtroom.
In explaining his decision, Judge Engoron cited the numerous harassing and threatening forms of communication that his chambers had received since the trial began. He believes that protecting his staff from harm outweighs any First Amendment rights of defendants and their attorneys to comment on his staff.
The judge’s decision to impose a gag order and extend it to Trump’s legal team is crucial in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the trial. It ensures that all parties involved refrain from making prejudicial or potentially harmful statements that could influence the proceedings.
It is important to note that a gag order is not a violation of free speech rights. It is a tool used by judges to maintain a fair and impartial trial environment, to protect the integrity of the legal process, and to ensure the safety of those involved.
While some may argue that the order limits transparency and hampers public discourse, it is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of the judge and his staff. The judge’s responsibility is to uphold the law and protect all those involved in the trial, and this includes safeguarding his staff from threats and harm.
In conclusion, Judge Arthur Engoron’s decision to impose and expand the gag order within Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial is a necessary step to ensure a fair and impartial trial. The order prevents further prejudicial statements and protects the judge, his staff, and the integrity of the legal process. Any violation of the order will be met with penalties, underscoring the seriousness of adhering to court rules.
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