The Supreme Court has declined to lift the gag order imposed on President-elect Donald Trump in his New York hush money case[1][2][3]. The court rejected Trump’s request to contest the gag order without providing additional comments or explanations[4][5].
The gag order, issued by New York Judge Juan Merchan, prohibits Trump from making public statements about jurors, witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, or their family members[1][2]. However, Trump is still allowed to comment on Judge Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg[1].
Background
- Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign[3][7].
- The gag order was initially imposed in April, with subsequent modifications after Trump targeted the judge’s daughter publicly[2].
- Trump has repeatedly challenged the gag order, arguing it infringes on his First Amendment rights[4].
Implications
- The Supreme Court’s decision marks the second time this year that the justices have upheld the restrictions[4].
- Trump’s legal team has asked Judge Merchan to dismiss the conviction, citing President Joe Biden’s recent remarks when pardoning his son Hunter Biden[4].
- Judge Merchan has delayed Trump’s sentencing, previously scheduled for November 26, while considering arguments on whether the president-elect is immune from criminal prosecution[4][8].
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the gag order reinforces the legitimacy of such restrictions in ongoing legal proceedings, despite Trump’s claims of unconstitutionality[2][6].
Citations:
[1] https://www.newsweek.com/supreme-court-wont-lift-gag-order-donald-trump-1997733
[2] https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/supreme-court-declines-lift-trumps-gag-order-new-york-case-rcna183508
[3] https://newrepublic.com/post/189155/supreme-court-refuses-save-trump-gag-order
[4] https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/3254135/supreme-court-rejects-trump-bid-lift-new-york-trial-gag-order/
[5] https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/us-supreme-court-declines-to-lift-judges-gag-order-on-trump-5773310
[6] https://www.yahoo.com/news/maddow-blog-supreme-court-declines-211303863.html
[7] https://www.yahoo.com/news/even-supreme-court-refuses-save-164447550.html
[8] https://www.newsmax.com/us/gag-order-judge/2024/12/09/id/1190908/
[9] https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/u-s-supreme-court-rejects-bid-to-lift-gag-order-on-donald-trump-in-new-york-hush-money-case/
[10] https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/08/supreme-court-rejects-missouris-request-to-block-trumps-new-york-gag-order-sentencing/
[11] https://law.syracuse.edu/news/professor-gregory-germain-writes-gagging-trump-is-judge-merchans-gag-order-and-award-of-sanctions-constitutional/
Source: Midtown Tribune