This week, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg took the uncommon move of requesting a gag order on former U.S President Donald Trump. This is set in the context of Trump’s upcoming trial, the first of his four criminal cases related to potential financial malfeasance, due to begin next month.
Specifically, this charge is in relation to allegations that Trump created false business records to cover up a hush money payment leading up to the 2016 election. The court recently denied Trump’s attempts to have these charges dismissed, subsequently upgrading the charges to felonies due to the District Attorney’s legal reasoning.
In defense, Trump’s lawyers have likened the prosecution to “election interference”, given the timing of the trial in relation to the presidential primary. However, this argument was dismissed by Justice Juan Merchan.
Online, DA Bragg has been the target of numerous attacks from Trump, with countless instances of provocative and inflammatory messaging from the former President being directed at the District Attorney. There are records of numerous threats, harassment, and even instances of physical substances, including white powder, being anonymously sent to Bragg’s office, which necessitated the gag request.
The request follows the same pattern approved by the DC Circuit in Trump’s election interference case, but includes stronger language around the protection of jurors. The purpose of such an order is to prevent Trump from making public statements about anyone directly or indirectly involved in his trial with the aim to hinder the legal proceedings.
This order, if approved, is hoped to prevent further potential threats, and protect the integrity of the legal process as Trump’s trial begins. While such measures may often be considered extreme, the controversial public nature of this case has pushed legal boundaries.
This article was written with reference to a report by Liz Dye on Above The Law.