Prosecutors argued on Friday that the gag order imposed on Trump in the hush money case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg also extends to the judge's daughter.
Judge Juan Merchan issued a gag order on Tuesday, prohibiting President Trump from publicly commenting on potential jurors, court personnel, attorneys, or their families. However, the order permits Trump to criticize Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
On Wednesday, Trump expressed frustration over the gag order and drew attention to Loren Merchan's social media activity and political stance against him, labeling her as a “rabid Trump Hater” who has admitted to discussing him with her father.
Prosecutors representing Alvin Bragg argued on Friday that the gag order should extend to Judge Merchan's daughter, contending that the order, issued on March 26, is appropriately interpreted to safeguard family members of the court.
Prosecutors further argued that the court should clarify or confirm that the gag order extends to family members of the court, the District Attorney, and all other individuals mentioned in the order, to eliminate any ambiguity.
In response, Trump's attorneys countered that the order did not apply in the manner asserted by the prosecutors, suggesting that the prosecutors themselves acknowledged this by proposing the need to “avoid any doubt.”
Last year, Trump requested that Judge Merchan recuse himself due to concerns about his daughter's employment with a left-wing organization and his previous rulings related to the president. However, Judge Merchan declined to recuse himself from the case.
