Special Poll
Former President Trump expressed his frustration on Wednesday about the gag order imposed on him in his New York hush money case, which restricts him from criticizing witnesses, jurors, and court staff. On Truth Social, Trump lamented the limitation on his freedom of speech, arguing it was particularly unjust given that his opponents, whom he labeled as “sleazebags, lowlifes, and grifters,” are free to speak without restraint.
Trump voiced his distress over being unable to counteract what he considers lies and false accusations against him due to the gag order. He described the situation as a “sophisticated hit job” orchestrated from the White House, although there is no evidence to suggest any involvement by the Biden administration in his legal troubles.
The conditions of the gag order prevent Trump from making derogatory comments towards various parties involved in the case, although it does not prohibit him from criticizing Judge Juan Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whom Trump targets regularly.
Trump has criticized the gag order as a violation of his First Amendment rights, especially significant given his status as the presumptive Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential election. Judge Merchan has already fined Trump $10,000 for ten breaches of the gag order and has warned that further infractions could lead to jail time. In a bold statement to reporters, Trump declared his readiness to face jail if necessary, claiming that protecting the Constitution was far more crucial than avoiding incarceration. “Our Constitution is much more important than jail. It’s not even close. I’ll do that sacrifice any day,” he affirmed.