Appeal Court reinstates gag order on Trump in civil fraud trial 

The Appeal Court in New York has reinstated the gag order placed on former U.S. President, Donald Trump from making public statements against court staff in his New York civil fraud trial.

Earlier in the month, Appellate Judge David Friedman had temporarily lifted the limited gag order against Trump, 77, over concerns it was a violation of his constitutional right to free speech.

Trump is currently undergoing $250 million civil fraud trial in New York.

Judge Arthur Engoron originally issued the order barring Trump from making public statements about his court’s staff after Trump made numerous comments about a clerk, who Trump says is biased against him.

According to CNN, Hundreds of threats against Engoron and the law clerk were made public last week. Engoron’s clerk has received 20 to 30 calls per day to her personal cell phone and 30 to 50 messages daily on social media platforms and two personal email addresses, according to court papers.

“Now, upon reading and filing the papers with respect to the motion, and due deliberation having been had thereon, It is ordered that the motion is denied; the interim relief granted by order of a Justice of this Court, dated November 16, 2023, is hereby vacated,” the court rules.

The judge said he intended to enforce the gag orders rigorously and vigorously.

Engoron said he wanted to make sure that counsel informs their clients (Trump) of the fact that the stay was vacated.