Former President Donald Trump’s appeal of the gag order in the hush money case was declined by the New York Court of Appeals on Tuesday. The court ruled that no substantial constitutional question was directly involved, thus keeping the gag order imposed by state Judge Juan Merchan in effect. Despite Trump’s efforts to have the gag order eliminated before being convicted of falsifying business records, the court’s decision upholds restrictions on his comments about the case.
Throughout the trial, Trump repeatedly criticized the gag order and was fined for violating it multiple times. Despite requests from his legal team to lift the order after the trial concluded, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office opposed the motion. The jury ultimately found Trump guilty of all 34 felony counts, a historic conviction for a former U.S. president.
Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, following a virtual meeting with a probation officer for a pre-sentencing interview. The outcome of the case marks a significant milestone in legal history.