Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office on Friday asked a New York judge to extend former President Donald Trump’s gag order weeks after his criminal trial concluded and as the former president awaits his sentencing date.
Earlier this year, Judge Juan Merchan issued a gag order that prohibits the former president from speaking about witnesses, court staff, and other people involved in the case, although he is free to target the judge and Mr. Bragg. Later, the judge expanded the gag order to include members of his own family and family members of others involved in the case.
The latest request was lodged days after the top court in New York state, the Court of Appeals, declined to hear an appeal from former President Trump’s attorneys to have the gag order rescinded. His attorneys had argued that the gag order violates his constitutionally protected rights and prevents him from responding to political opponents in the midst of a presidential election where he is the presumptive Republican nominee….