A New York judge issued an order Tuesday barring former President Donald Trump from making public statements about possible witnesses in his hush-money case.
The gag order from Judge Juan Merchan also prohibits Mr. Trump from directing attacks at lawyers in the case other than Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg; members of court staff; and family members of those groups. Mr. Trump also cannot cause others to make verbal attacks.
Judge Merchan is attempting to rein in Mr. Trump less than one month before jury selection begins on April 15.
Mr. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records. The indictment accuses him of funneling hush money payments through his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, to porn star Stormy Daniels and two others on the cusp of the 2016 election.
Ms. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, alleges she had a sexual encounter with Mr. Trump nearly two decades ago. Mr. Trump denies the affair.
Judge Merchan’s order mirrors orders levied against Mr. Trump in the federal case alleging he conspired against the U.S. with attempts to overturn the 2020 election and a New York civil case that resulted in a massive judgment against him for financial fraud.
The orders seek to shield witnesses and lower-level staff while letting Mr. Trump sound off on the principal prosecutors and judges.
Mr. Trump has railed against the orders, saying Democratic forces want to silence him while he campaigns for president.
Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Trump attacked Judge Merchan in blunt terms.
“Judge Juan Merchan, a very distinguished looking man, is nevertheless a true and certified Trump Hater who suffers from a very serious case of Trump Derangement Syndrome,” he wrote on Truth Social.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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