Former President Donald Trump encountered another legal setback as a New York state appeals court upheld a gag order against him and rejected his challenge to the fines imposed for its violation. The decision marks a continuation of Trump's ongoing legal battles across various jurisdictions.
In a four-page decision, the appellate panel dismissed Trump's efforts to contest the gag order, which limits his public comments about the staff of Justice Arthur Engoron, the judge presiding over his $250 million civil fraud trial. The court determined that Trump's challenge was procedurally flawed and emphasized that the gag order is narrowly focused, limiting its scope to statements about the court's staff.
The gag order, reinstated on November 30, was initially issued after Trump disparaged the judge's law clerk, Allison Greenfield, on social media. Trump's subsequent violations of the order resulted in two fines totaling $15,000. The appeals court, in its ruling, underscored the minor gravity of potential harm caused by the gag order, noting its specific and limited prohibition.
Trump's attorney, Chris Kise, expressed frustration with the court's decision, stating that it places Trump's "fundamental constitutional rights in a procedural purgatory." Kise argued that the ordinary appellate process would be ineffective in providing timely relief to Trump.
In addition to the New York case, Trump is also subject to a broader gag order in his federal criminal case in Washington, D.C., involving charges of conspiring to subvert the 2020 election. A federal appeals court recently upheld this gag order, restricting Trump from making potentially prejudicial statements about key witnesses, prosecutors, or court staff.
Judge Engoron's imposition of the gag order and subsequent fines highlight the ongoing tension between Trump's legal team and the court. The judge also issued a supplemental order barring all counsel from public statements about confidential communications with his staff.
The civil fraud trial, which concluded its testimony phase, is set to continue with closing arguments expected in mid-January. The trial has kept Trump's business dealings under intense scrutiny and poses a significant threat to his business empire.
Trump's legal woes extend beyond the New York and Washington cases, encompassing multiple jurisdictions and a range of allegations. The recent rulings in both the New York and Washington cases represent a continuing challenge for Trump as he navigates the complex legal landscape.
