US judge partially revokes gag order against Donald Trump

Donald Trump, former president of the United States, can now speak publicly about witnesses from his criminal trial in New York, such as Michael Cohen and adult film star Stormy Daniels.

This comes after a court order this Tuesday (25), which revokes parts of a gag order that Judge Juan Merchan imposed before the start of the trial.

Trump, however, cannot speak about any prosecutors, court employees or their family members, as Merchan’s latest ruling maintains that part of the gag order.

This part of the measure will remain in force at least until the announcement of the former president’s sentence, which is scheduled for July 11, says the latest decision.

Tuesday’s new order also raises the bar for public statements about jurors, but notes that the release of any personally identifiable information about any juror is still prohibited.

Merchan reversed parts of the order, noting that “circumstances have now changed” following Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records last month.

The judge’s decision comes two days before Trump’s debate with President Joe Biden, where Trump’s conviction will certainly be lifted.

Merchan says his gag orders “were narrowly tailored to address the significant concerns regarding the defendant’s extrajudicial speech,” while noting that the appeals courts upheld the restrictions he imposed on Trump during the trial.

The judge acknowledged he was reluctant to lift the gag order regarding jurors, writing, “there is ample evidence to justify continued concern about jurors.”

As for remaining protections for prosecutors, court employees and their families, Merchan says they should feel safe doing their jobs before sentencing.

“Until sentence is imposed,” Merchan wrote, those protected by that part of his gag order “must continue to perform their legal duties free from threats, intimidation, harassment and harm.”