Judge Partially Lifts Trump's Gag Order Post-Conviction, but Restrictions Remain

Former President Trump has been partially relieved of a gag order imposed upon him, allowing him to speak about protected witnesses and jurors following his conviction on falsifying business records charges. However, the order remains in place regarding comments about individual prosecutors, court staff, and their family members.

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Judge Partially Lifts Trump's Gag Order Post-Conviction, but Restrictions Remain

Judge Juan Merchan has partially lifted a gag order he imposed against former President Trump, allowing him to speak about certain aspects of his recent criminal trial. The order had barred Trump from making or directing others to make public statements about potential witnesses or their participation, counsel in the case other than Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, court staff, DA staff, or family members of staff.

The lifting of the gag order comes weeks after the jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Trump and his legal team have been fighting the gag order since it was imposed upon him at the start of the trial and had ramped up their efforts when it concluded last month. The former president and presumptive Republican nominee's legal team had argued that the gag order should be lifted before the June 27 presidential debate.

Judge Partially Lifts Trump's Gag Order Post-Conviction, but Restrictions Remain

In his order reviewed by Fox News Tuesday, Merchan explained that the basis for issuing the gag order in the first place was "to protect the integrity of the judicial proceedings." Merchan noted that Trump's appeal of the order had been rejected, but that the circumstances had changed since the appellate courts made their rulings.

"The trial portion of these proceedings ended when the verdict was rendered, and the jury discharged," Merchan wrote.

Judge Partially Lifts Trump's Gag Order Post-Conviction, but Restrictions Remain

Despite the partial lifting of the gag order, Trump is still blocked from commenting about individual prosecutors, court staff, and their family members. That portion of the gag order will remain in effect until Trump's sentencing on July 11.

Trump's campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, released a statement criticizing the remaining restrictions.

"Today’s order by Acting Justice Merchan leaves in place portions of the unconstitutional Gag Order, preventing President Trump from speaking freely about Judge Merchan’s disqualifying conflicts and the overwhelming evidence exposing this whole Crooked Joe Biden – directed Witch Hunt," Cheung said.

"This is another unlawful decision by a highly conflicted judge, which is blatantly un-American as it gags President Trump, the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election during the upcoming Presidential Debate on Thursday. President Trump and his legal team will immediately challenge today’s unconstitutional order."

Trump’s sentencing date is set for July 11 – just four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he is expected to be formally nominated as the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.