Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tennessee) is touting a new bill that he says would prohibit judges from issuing gag orders to defendants in most civil and criminal cases.
The bill, called the “Let Trump Speak Act,” comes as former President Trump continues to fight his gag order in the ongoing criminal silence trial in New York.
In an interview with Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo on Monday, Ogles said the bill aims to target gag orders “that are clearly politically motivated.” The bill would also establish a right of action, which Ogles said would provide a basis for a defendant to sue “because their rights are being violated.”
Ogles, who attended Trump’s trial last week, sharply criticized the prosecution in the hush money case and said in the interview: “You could say this trial is nothing more than a political witch hunt.”
“And then enough is enough,” continued Ogles. “Trump should be acquitted. He should be back on the campaign trail and ready to go. They are trying to keep Trump out of the campaign and keep him locked up in court.”
Trump has criticized her gag order as a violation of her First Amendment rights, arguing that it prevents her from responding to political attacks made by high-profile witnesses and others.
Under the gag order, Trump is prohibited from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff or the family of Judge Juan Merchan. The gag order does not stop the former president from attacking Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D).
Last week, Trump asked New York’s highest court to intervene in his fight against the gag order, just one day after a lower court upheld it.
Merchan found that Trump had violated his gag order 10 times since it was imposed, ordering him to pay a $1,000 fine per violation and warning that future violations could carry prison time.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
