Under the gag order issued by trial Judge Juan Merchan, Trump is barred from disparaging prosecutors working for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, as well as court personnel. The New York Court of Appeals issued a short decision dealing a blow to Trump’s arguments against the order.

“Appeal dismissed without costs, by the court sua sponte, upon the ground that no substantial constitutional question is directly involved,” the panel ruled.

The decision will keep the gag order in place until Trump’s sentencing on Nov. 26. A jury found him guilty of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.

Two judges recused themselves from the decision, but they did not offer an explanation. All seven of the judges on the panel were appointed by Democratic governors.

The gag order previously barred Trump from making disparaging remarks about key witnesses in the case and members of the jury, but Merchan agreed to lift those portions of the gag order in June while keeping in place protections for court personnel, prosecuting attorneys, and family members related to people in that group.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung declared the gag order unconstitutional and said Trump would “continue to fight against” it in a statement.

“The Democrats are trying to unlawfully gag President Trump, the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election, because they know that he is dominating this election, will win on Nov. 5, and will Make America Great Again!” Cheung said.