Gag order - Trump, by Judge Merchan, NY, NY

New York Supreme Court

Justice Juan M. Merchan

Because the United States Supreme Court has stayed trial in the most important charge arising from the January 6, 2021 attempt to retain power despite losing the Presidential election Donald Trump is likely to first face criminal charges in New York.  The charges there arise from his attempts as a candidate to buy silence regarding his involvement with the porn actress whose stage name is Stormy Daniels.

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to:

• A speedy and public trial by an impartial jury
•  To confront witnesses against the accused

Because Donald Trump's rhetoric poses a threat to jurors and witnesses, as well as to lawyers and prosecutors and family New York Supreme Court trial judge Juan M. Merchan has issued a four page "gag order", enforceable by  contempt of court,  which order seeks to prevent Donald Trump from disparaging or threatening jurors, court officials and others

ORDERED, that the People's motion for clarification is GRANTED. '

I'he Court's Order of March 26,2024,did not contemplate the family members of this Court or of the District Attorney. It is therefore not necessary for this Court to determine -whether the statements were intended to materially interfere with these proceedings; and it is further ORDERED, 

that the Court's Order of March 26, 2024, is amended as indicated below. Defendant is directed to refrain from:

Making or directing others to make public statements about known or reasonably foreseeable witnesses concerning their potential participation in the investigation or in this criminal proceeding; Making or directing others to make public statements about 

(1) counsel in the case other than the District Attorney, 

(2) members of the court's staff and the District Attorney's staff, or 

(3) the family members of any counsel, staff member, the Court or the District Attorney, if those statements are made with the intent to materially, interfere with, or to cause others to materially interfere with, counsel's or staff's work in this criminal case, or with the knowledge that such interference is likely to result; and making or directing others to make public statements about any prospective juror or any juror in this criminal proceeding.