
"Sounds as if Merchan was really tough on Trump in the hearing today - letting him and counsel know that if there's any violation of the discovery order, it's for him (Merchan) to handle, including possible criminal contempt," he wrote on Twitter.ĬNN legal analyst Norm Eisen warned that Trump faces a "grave risk" after being "lectured by judge" because he's so "undisciplined." Attorney Harry Litman observed that Mechan "is treating Trump like a truant child." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.įormer U.S. Additionally, Merhcan wrote that Trump is only permitted to "review the limited dissemination materials only in the presence of defense counsel." The order, which was signed by the judge on May 8, stipulates that any evidence shared by the DA "shall be used solely for the purposes of preparing a defense," barring Trump from sharing the case materials online in any capacity. he's very much concerned that his First Amendment rights are being violated by this order." It's called ELECTION INTERFERENCE, and nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before!!!"ĭuring the hearing, Trump's lead defense lawyer Todd Blanche prodded Merchan's protective order, arguing that "because President Trump is running for president of the United States and is the current leading contender.
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"Just had New York County Supreme Court hearing where I believe my First Amendment Rights, 'Freedom of Speech,' have been violated, and they forced upon us a trial date of March 25th, right in the middle of Primary season," Trump wrote. "Very unfair, but this is exactly what the Radical Left Democrats wanted.

However, not long after the hearing had concluded, Trump took to Truth Social to bemoan what he felt had been a violation of his First Amendment rights. NPR reported that Trump, who was tuning in from his Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida, spoke only once during the hearing, saying "I do" when asked if he had a copy of the order. Judge orders Trump to attend lecture on how not to use evidence to attack witnesses: report There are a wide range of sanctions, but it could include up to a finding of contempt, and that is punishable," he said.

"Violation of a court order or a court mandate could result in sanctions.

However, Merchan did advise the ex-president that dismissing the protective order could create a slew of legal issues, including fines or jail time.
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Trump's ability to campaign … he's certainly free to deny the charges … he's free to do just about anything that doesn't violate the specific terms of this protective order," the judge said, according to The Daily Beast. It's certainly not my intention in any way to impede Mr. Trump appeared virtually for a Tuesday hearing that Judge Juan Manuel Merchan, who is overseeing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's 34-count indictment against Trump over his role in wired payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, scheduled earlier this month after establishing rules preventing the former president from using case evidence to attack witnesses or make a public spectacle.

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that a judge "violated" his First Amendment rights by explaining the terms of a protective order restricting Trump's use of evidence in his hush-money case.
