Judge extends gag order to include Trump's attorneys in fraud trial
The judge in Trump's civil fraud trial broadens gag order to include Trump's attorneys due to ongoing discussions about the judge's interactions with his law clerk in court
Judge Arthur Engoron has expanded the gag order in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial to include his attorneys. The order prohibits any further comments regarding the judge's confidential communications with his staff, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Accompanied by his co-defendant, Eric Trump, the son of former U.S. President Donald Trump makes an appearance at the civil fraud trial of the Trump Organization. The trial takes place in the New York State Supreme Court located in the Manhattan borough of New York City. This event occurred on November 2.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
Eric Trump continues testimony in civil fraud trial
The judge wrote that ever since the start of this bench trial, his/her office has been flooded with numerous harassing and intimidating forms of communication such as phone calls, voicemails, emails, letters, and packages. The judge emphasized that while the defendants and their lawyers have the First Amendment right to comment on his/her staff, the priority lies in safeguarding them from potential threats and physical harm. The judge warned that any violation of the order would lead to severe penalties.
In the first week of the trial, Engoron implemented a gag order preventing parties from discussing his staff due to a social media post by Trump. The post criticized Engoron's clerk and included a photo of her with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York.
Engoron has already penalized Trump twice for violating the order. The initial fine of $5,000 was imposed because the post had not been removed from Trump's website, which his lawyers claimed was unintentional. The second fine, amounting to $10,000, was issued after Trump appeared to mention the clerk while speaking to reporters outside the courtroom.
Trumps legal team has consistently clashed with Engoron over his clerk's behavior during the trial, alleging that she displayed disrespectful body language by "rolling her eyes" while the witnesses testified, thereby unfairly influencing the judge.
Rebecca Blackwell captured this image of former President Donald Trump as he spoke at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on October 11, 2023.
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On Thursday, Trump's attorney Chris Kise highlighted instances of what seemed like "co-judging," as he continuously received information. "Yesterday, we observed it happening 30, 40 times," he revealed.
Engoron asserted his entitlement to obtain guidance from his assistant, while firmly asserting that Trump's legal team lacks the privilege to be informed about their conversations.
"She holds a public service position and fulfills the tasks I assign her." Engoron passionately emphasized on Thursday, forcefully striking the bench, clarifying that the mentioned records are "privileged correspondences shared with my legal assistant."
This story is breaking and will be updated.
