Former President Trump complained Friday that it was a “joke” and a “disgrace” after the judge who oversaw his secret trial instructed prosecutors to inform Michael Cohen, his star witness, to stop speaking publicly about the case. as his deposition approached.
“There’s no gag order for Michael Cohen. What the judge did was incredible, actually. Everybody can say whatever they want, but I’m not allowed to say anything about anybody. It’s a disgrace,” Trump said after the court adjourned. for the trial. day.
“What he did now is a joke. It’s a disgrace,” Trump added.
Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly criticized Cohen’s public attacks on Trump, given that the former president’s ability to respond is limited under the terms of his gag order.
Todd Blanche, Trump’s lawyer, called on Friday that Cohen be restricted from speaking “in the same way that President Trump” is restricted.
“I will drive [the prosecutors] communicate to Mr. Cohen that the judge is asking him to refrain from making further statements regarding this case,” Merchan said from the courtroom.
Cohen is expected to testify on Monday and has been considered a key witness for the district attorney’s office. He made a secret $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had an affair with Trump in 2006, which he denies. He also played a role in coordinating two other secret deals that benefited Trump.
Trump’s gag order prohibits him from attacking witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff and the judge’s family. That doesn’t stop him from going after the judge or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), something Trump does almost daily.
The former president has criticized the restrictions, saying they violate his First Amendment rights to respond to political attacks, which he says he should have the right to do as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Merchan earlier this week found that Trump violated the gag order for the tenth time and ordered him to pay $1,000 for attacking jurors in his criminal gag trial, just days after the judge ruled on a previous set of violations of the order. of silence. The judge warned Trump that future violations could be punishable by prison.
Trump said Friday he would be “very proud” to go to prison for violating his gag order.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
