Judge holds Trump in contempt of court for violating gag order

New York judge on Tuesday held former President Donald Trump in contempt of court and fined him $9,000 for violating the judge’s gag order prohibiting Trump from criticizing potential witnesses at his criminal trial.

New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan rejected claims by the country’s 45th president that he was merely responding to political attacks against him when he assailed two key likely witnesses at the trial: Michael Cohen, his one-time lawyer and political fixer, and porn film star Stormy Daniels. Merchan wrote that he is “keenly aware of, and protective of,” Trump’s 1st Amendment rights, “particularly given his candidacy for the office of President of the United States.”
“It is critically important that defendant’s legitimate free speech rights not be curtailed, that he be able to fully campaign for the office which he seeks and that he be able to respond and defend himself against political attacks,” Merchan wrote.

DALLAS, TEXAS – AUGUST 06: Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Hilton Anatole on August 06, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. CPAC began in 1974, and is a conference that brings together and hosts conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders in discussing current events and future political agendas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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