Former President Donald Trump erupted in anger over an intensified gag order, forbidding him from discussing family members of individuals connected to his hush money trial. Reacting vehemently, he directed his ire at Judge Juan Merchan, who issued the directive.
Expressing his outrage, Trump questioned the fairness of the situation, asserting, “They can talk about me, but I can’t talk about them???” He called for the judge’s recusal and the dismissal of the case, branding Judge Merchan as severely conflicted and accusing him of engaging in election interference.
“I just was informed that another corrupt New York Judge, Juan Merchan, GAGGED me so that I can not talk about the corruption and conflicts taking place in his courtroom with respect to a case that everyone, including the D.A., felt should never have been brought. They can talk about me, but I can’t talk about them??? That sounds fair, doesn’t it? This Judge should be recused, and the case should be thrown out. There has virtually never been a more conflicted judge than this one. ELECTION INTERFERENCE at its worst!” Trump vented on Truth Social.
In a second post he added: “Please remember, ALL of these Lawsuits, Charges, and Indictments that have been brought against me have been orchestrated and coordinated by Crooked Joe Biden, the White House, and the DOJ, as an ATTACK ON CROOKED’S POLITICAL OPPONENT, ME. This has never happened before in our Country. MAGA2024!”
The trial, slated to commence on April 15, revolves around alleged hush money payments to an adult film actress to conceal an affair. Trump’s speech has been restricted for days, barring him from discussing jurors, witnesses, and court personnel. However, the order was extended on Monday to include their families.
This extension comes in response to Trump’s targeted assaults on Loren Merchan, daughter of Judge Juan Merchan, who operates a political consultancy catering to Democratic Party clients. Trump contends that this affiliation renders her a fervent opponent, biasing the trial against him.
Legal experts suggest that the judge’s concern stems from the fear that trial witnesses may be intimidated from testifying against Trump, fearing retaliatory attacks on their relatives. Past instances of Trump targeting judges and prosecutors in other trials have led to threats from his supporters, including the arrest of a Texas woman for allegedly making death threats against the judge in Trump’s federal election interference case.
