Appeals Court Reinstates Gag Order in Trump Fraud Case

A New York state appeals court has reinstated a gag order barring Donald Trump and his lawyers from making public statements about the courtroom staff in the ongoing civil fraud trial.

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Former President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom with his legal team before the continuation of his civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)

The gag order was originally issued by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron in October after Trump made several public statements criticizing a law clerk in the case. Trump had accused the law clerk of being biased against him and of leaking information to the press.

Engoron's gag order was stayed by an appeals court on November 17, but the appeals court has now reinstated the order. The appeals court said that Trump's public statements about the law clerk were "unwarranted" and "could prejudice the fair trial of the action."

The gag order applies to Trump, his lawyers, and any witnesses in the case. It does not apply to the attorney general's office, which is bringing the fraud case against Trump.

The fraud case is one of several civil and criminal lawsuits that Trump is facing. The attorney general's office is alleging that Trump and his company engaged in a pattern of fraudulent business practices. Trump has denied the allegations.

The reinstatement of the gag order is a blow to Trump, who has used social media and other platforms to attack his critics and defend himself against the various legal challenges he is facing. The gag order will make it more difficult for Trump to control the narrative of the fraud case and could prevent him from making public statements that could damage his case.

The gag order is also likely to have a chilling effect on free speech. Lawyers and other parties involved in the case will now have to be very careful about what they say in public, for fear of being sanctioned by the court.

The gag order is a significant development in the Trump fraud case. It remains to be seen how it will impact the outcome of the case, but it is sure to have a significant impact on the way that Trump and his lawyers are able to communicate with the public.