New development in Trump's 'hush money' case: Gag order appeal rejected

The New York State Appeals Court has rejected an appeal by Donald Trump, the Republican Party's candidate in the 2024 US presidential election, regarding the gag order imposed in his "hush money" case.

The court's five-judge panel stated that Judge Juan Merchan's decision to keep the gag order on Trump in place until the conclusion of the trial was correct. The Appeals Court emphasized that Merchan had balanced Trump's rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution with the goal of ensuring the proper administration of justice in criminal proceedings. Furthermore, the court's decision noted that District Attorney Alvin Bragg had presented evidence showing that threats received by the District Attorney's office staff constituted a significant and imminent threat.

The court panel stated that Judge Merchan "did not act in excess of his jurisdiction by maintaining narrow protections."

Trump's campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, argued that Merchan's decision was "clearly un-American," while noting that Trump "continues to strongly oppose" this gag order.

TRUMP'S HUSH MONEY CASE

Former US President Donald Trump was charged on March 18, 2023, by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office as part of an investigation into an illegal "hush money" payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. Trump denied the charges, his trial began in New York on April 15, and after 6 weeks of hearings, he was found guilty on all 34 counts by a jury on May 31. The sentencing hearing for Trump was postponed to July 11.

The US Supreme Court ruled that Trump has "some immunity" regarding allegations related to the January 6 Capitol riot and interference in the 2020 presidential election. The court ruled, in a 6-3 vote, that Trump has immunity from prosecution for his official acts, but that this immunity does not apply to his private conduct.