“Illegal, un-American”
Trump attacks judge in hush money trial
March 28, 2024, 7:11 a.m
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The Republican presidential candidate Trump is facing trials in several US states. In the proceedings surrounding a hush money payment to a porn actress, the judge muzzled the 77-year-old. Trump reacts with clear words.
Former US President Donald Trump has hit out at the judge in his hush money trial. Juan Merchan banned the 77-year-old on Tuesday from publicly commenting on witnesses, prosecutors, court employees and jurors in the proceedings. The Republican presidential candidate accused the experienced lawyer on social media of bowing to the interests of his daughter, a Democratic political advisor.
Trump declared that the confidentiality order issued against him was “illegal, un-American and unconstitutional.” Merchan is trying to prevent him from using his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech to criticize that law enforcement is being used as a weapon against him by his Democratic rivals. He called on Merchan to hand over the case.
Tuesday’s order is intended to prevent Trump from harassing or intimidating people involved in the case or their families. But it does not prohibit Trump from commenting on Merchan or his family. It also does not prohibit him from criticizing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office prosecuted the case.
The trial is scheduled to begin on April 15. This involves hush money totaling $130,000 (around 120,000 euros), which Trump is said to have arranged to pay to porn actress Stormy Daniels during his successful 2016 presidential election campaign. Daniels reported that she had extramarital sex with Trump.