Manhattan DA asks judge in Trump's hush money case to 'clarify or confirm' that gag order applies to family members
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office this week asked a judge presiding over the New York criminal case against Donald Trump to "clarify or confirm" that his earlier order restricting the former president's public statements about the case and those involved applies to family members.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office this week asked a judge presiding over the New York criminal case against Donald Trump to "clarify or confirm" that his earlier order restricting the former president's public statements about the case and those involved applies to family members.
In a letter to New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan dated Thursday and acknowledged as received by the court on Friday, prosecutors said that potential trial witnesses and prospective jurors were likely to fear attacks that could extend to their families after Trump on Wednesday blasted Merchan as “biased and conflicted” and took aim at his daughter for a social media post that a court spokesperson said was wrongly attributed to her.
"As a result, this Court should make abundantly clear that the March 26 Order protects family members of the Court, the District Attorney, and all other individuals mentioned in the Order. Furthermore, the Court should warn defendant that his recent conduct is contumacious and direct him to immediately desist," they wrote.
Prosecutors said that if Trump continues to defy orders, he should face sanctions.
Trump's attorneys responded in opposition in their own letter on Friday, arguing that the "express terms of the gag order do not apply in the manner claimed" by prosecutors.
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