A New York state appeals court has upheld a gag order against former President Donald Trump in his hush money criminal case on Thursday, August 1.
As per Reuters, the decision means Trump cannot publicly comment about individual prosecutors and others involved in the case until his sentencing on September 18, just weeks before the November 5 election.
Trump, who was convicted in May on charges related to hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, had challenged the gag order, claiming it infringes on his First Amendment rights. His legal team argued that the order violated his constitutional freedom of speech.
The gag order, originally imposed by Justice Juan Merchan, prevents Trump from commenting on prosecutors, court staff, and jurors.
While, restrictions on witnesses and jurors were lifted after Trump's conviction, the order remains in effect for prosecutors and court personnel.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the gag order as "blatantly un-American" and stated that Trump will continue to challenge it.
To note, Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, linked to a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to Daniels to silence her about an alleged affair.
