Trump blasts 'kangaroo court' as judge considers gag order violation
Former President Trump on Tuesday ripped into Judge Juan Merchan as Merchan weighs arguments over whether the former president violated a gag order imposed on him in his hush money case.
"HIGHLY CONFLICTED, TO PUT IT MILDLY, JUDGE JUAN MERCHAN, HAS TAKEN AWAY MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH," Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after arguments over the gag order concluded. "EVERYBODY IS ALLOWED TO TALK AND LIE ABOUT ME, BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND MYSELF. THIS IS A KANGAROO COURT, AND THE JUDGE SHOULD RECUSE HIMSELF!"
Prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney's office claim Trump has so far violated the order barring him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and the judge’s family 10 times. They are asking the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each violation.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche argued the former president was responding to political attacks against him and insisted there was "absolutely no willful violation" of the gag order in any of the 10 posts.
But prosecutors disputed that premise, arguing Trump's posts should not be considered political just because the former president added "MAGA" to them. Prosecutors also argued Trump's posts should not be excepted from the gag order just because they are reposts of other accounts.
Merchan appeared skeptical of Blanche's arguments, telling Trump's attorney he was losing credibility. The judge said he would reserve a decision on the alleged gag order violations, while witness testimony was slated to continue on Tuesday.
Trump has relentlessly attacked Merchan in the case, blasting him as "conflicted" on a daily basis and calling on the judge to recuse himself. Merchan has refused to recuse himself, saying Trump's team's arguments relied on “a series of references, innuendos and unsupported speculation.”
Date: | |
Tag: | Donald Trump |
Filter
More from The Hill
-
GOP senator blasts UAW's call for release of arrested protesters
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on Friday slammed the United Auto Workers (UAW) union's call for the release of students and university employees arrested as part of pro-Palestine protests at campuses across the country. “They’re demanding the release ...The Hill - Politics -
5 ways the US can drive the world’s AI agenda
The U.S. must use its budding domestic initiatives to lead the way on AI governance, ensuring that AI does not become a tool of authoritarians. Our future depends on it.The Hill - Politics -
Trump rails against Cohen call evidence at hush money trial
Former President Trump on Friday complained about a recording of a phone call between him and Michael Cohen played as evidence during his hush money trial. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the tape, “while good for my case, was cut off at ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
Civil rights leaders blast Supreme Court at their doorstep
Civil rights leaders from around the nation gathered in Washington, D.C., Friday to protest book bans and rising attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), saying limitations on education were hurting teachers, students and democracy as a ...The Hill - Politics -
Hope Hicks breaks down on stand as Trump attorney cross-exam begins: Live updates
Former President Trump’s ex-political adviser Hope Hicks is on the witness stand in his hush money trial in Manhattan where she is detailing the chaos that enveloped his 2016 campaign. Hicks, once a close confidant of Trump’s campaign and after he ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump