Trump urges judge not to impose gag order in NY criminal hush money case

5/3/2024 12:56

        Lawyers for Donald Trump asked a court on Monday to reject a prosecution request for a gag order at his March 25 criminal trial over hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, arguing it would infringe on his right to free speech.
        
        "President Trump's political opponents have, and will continue to, attack him based on this case," his lawyers wrote. "The voters have the right to listen to President Trump's unfettered responses."
        
        They said the order sought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office would prevent Trump, the Republican frontrunner to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden, from speaking on a campaign issue in the run-up to the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election.
        
        Gag orders restricting defendants from speaking publicly about certain aspects of legal proceedings may be imposed to try to prevent intimidation of witnesses or jurors, or to protect court staff from threats.