Special Poll
Former President Trump expressed frustration on Friday, labeling it a “joke” and a “disgrace” after the judge in his hush money trial instructed prosecutors to advise Michael Cohen, a key witness in the case, to cease public commentary as his testimony neared.
“There is no gag order for Michael Cohen. What the judge did was amazing, actually. Everybody can say whatever they want, but I’m not allowed to say anything about anybody. It’s a disgrace,” Trump remarked following the adjournment of the court for the day.
Trump added, “What he just did now is a joke. It’s a disgrace.”
Trump’s legal team has consistently pointed out Cohen’s public criticisms of Trump, highlighting the constraints placed on the former president by his gag order.
Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s lawyers, on Friday requested that Cohen be silenced “in the same way President Trump is” restricted.
Judge Merchan responded by stating from the bench, “I will direct [the prosecutors] to communicate to Mr. Cohen that the judge is asking him to refrain from any more statements about this case.”
Cohen, who is set to testify on Monday, is considered a pivotal witness for the prosecution. He is known for making a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleged she had an affair with Trump in 2006, a claim Trump denies. Cohen was also involved in arranging two other hush money agreements that purportedly benefited Trump.
Trump’s gag order prohibits him from criticizing witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff, and the judge’s family, although it does not restrict him from attacking the judge or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), which Trump frequently does.
Trump has vehemently criticized these restrictions, arguing that they infringe upon his First Amendment rights to counter political attacks, a response he believes he is entitled to as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Earlier this week, Judge Merchan ruled that Trump had breached the gag order for the tenth time and fined him $1,000 for criticizing jurors in his hush money criminal trial, just days after addressing a previous set of violations. The judge has warned that future infractions could lead to incarceration.
On Friday, Trump stated he would be “very proud” to go to jail for violating his gag order.