New York Judge Juan Merchan faced criticism even after his decision to partially lift the gag order against former President Trump. Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett argued on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday that the order should have been lifted when the trial concluded, adding that silencing a presidential candidate violates the free speech rights of Trump and the American public.
GREGG JARRETT: It’s another warped and senseless ruling by Judge Merchan. This gag order was already an unconstitutional prior restraint of speech. It should have been lifted weeks ago when the trial ended, the jurors are dismissed. The fact that it wasn’t underscores, I think, the unfair treatment of Donald Trump. Nothing magically changed yesterday to lift part of the gag order.
And equally baffling, I think, is the fact that the New York appellate court seemed utterly unbothered, stating, oh, there’s no substantial constitutional question. Are you kidding me? Other than that pesky little document called the First Amendment. Silencing a presidential candidate not only violates his free speech rights, but the rights of listeners, the American public. They have a protected right to hear political speech.
