ABC
The judge in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case has expanded his limited gag order on the former president to cover the family members of the judge and the district attorney, following a request by prosecutors.
The limited gag order now covers the family members of District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Juan Merchan, after Trump targeted Merchan’s daughter repeatedly on social media over her work with a group involved in Democratic politics.
Last week, Judge Merchan issued a limited gag order prohibiting Trump from making comments about potential witnesses in the case, as well as jurors, lawyers, court staff, and their families. The order permitted Trump to continue making public comments about both Merchan and Bragg.
In his ruling late Monday, Merchan wrote that “The Defendant has a constitutional right to speak to the American voters freely, and to defend himself publicly.” However, the judge pointed to the “singular power” Trump’s words have on countless others and the “grave concern” prosecutors said witnesses have expressed about participating in the trial, set to begin April 15.
