By Fox News Staff Fox News
Published March 26, 2024 4:22pm EDT | Updated March 26, 2024 4:25pm EDT
New trial, new gag order
New York Judge Juan Merchan has imposed a gag order on former President Trump in the hush-money payments case, set for jury selection on April 15, granting Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's request.
Merchan issued the order against the 2024 GOP presumptive presidential nominee on Tuesday, pointing to his "prior extrajudicial statements," saying they establish "a sufficient risk to the administration of justice."
Merchan ordered that Trump cannot make or direct others to make public statements about witnesses concerning their potential participation, or about counsel in the case — other than Bragg — or about court staff, DA staff or family members of staff.
Merchan also ordered that Trump cannot make or direct others to make public statements about any prospective juror or chosen juror.
Merchan said in his decision that Trump has made statements in the past during other trials — likely referring to the months-long non-jury civil fraud trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James' case.
A spokesperson for Trump's campaign told Fox News Digital that "American voters have a fundamental right to hear the uncensored voice of the leading candidate for the highest office in the land."
"President Trump will keep fighting for our country and our Constitution," the spokesperson said.
Trump's trial on hush money charges will begin April 15 (Jefferson Siegel-Pool/Getty Images)
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Source: Fox News