Former President Donald Trump criticized an “unconstitutional” gag order imposed on him during his trial in Manhattan. He expressed frustration at not being allowed to speak while others could freely talk about him. Trump was back in court where Judge Juan Merchan held a hearing on the prosecution’s request for holding Trump in contempt for violating the gag order. Prosecutors presented examples of Trump violating the order in social media posts, arguing that he should pay fines for them. However, Trump’s legal team defended his actions as responses to attacks and disputed the allegations.
Merchan has yet to make a decision on whether Trump is in contempt, but he cautioned Trump’s defense team that they were losing credibility in court. Trump blamed President Biden for the ongoing anti-Israel protests on college campuses, in addition to the trial itself. He criticized Biden for campaigning while he was in court and called the situation unfair. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial revolves around allegations that the Trump Organization reimbursed his former attorney, Michael Cohen, for payments made to silence Stormy Daniels about an alleged affair she had with Trump.
Trump expressed his desire to speak, stating that he would like to share his thoughts but was restricted due to the gag order. He accused the judge of being conflicted and questioning why the order was imposed on him. Despite being allowed to speak about District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump felt unfairly restrained as he watched others criticize him without being able to respond. The prosecution presented ten instances where Trump allegedly violated the order, citing social media posts as evidence of his contempt.
During the hearing, Merchan repeatedly asked Trump’s attorney to provide examples of posts that Trump was responding to, suggesting that the defense was losing credibility. Trump continued to criticize Biden, attributing the ongoing protests on college campuses and the trial itself to the President’s actions. He claimed that Biden was unable to string two sentences together yet prioritized campaigning over addressing pressing issues. The trial will continue to unfold as the court determines whether Trump has violated the gag order and what consequences, if any, he will face as a result.
Despite the restrictions imposed on him, Trump remains vocal about the trial and ongoing events. He has taken aim at the judge, the prosecution, and President Biden, expressing his frustration at being unable to freely speak his mind. As the proceedings continue, the focus remains on whether Trump will be found in contempt of the gag order and how the trial will ultimately unfold. The legal battle between Trump and the district attorney’s office continues to attract attention, with both sides presenting their arguments in court. The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for Trump and his legacy as a former President.
