Hush money trial: judge shuts down Trump

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For the upcoming criminal trial against Donald Trump (77) in connection with hush money payments to a porn star, the court has limited public statements by the former American president about witnesses, jurors and judicial staff. Trump’s previous statements about other proceedings showed that there was a risk to the smooth conduct of the trial, Judge Juan Merchan said on Tuesday.

Trump may not publicly attack witnesses or foreseeable witnesses related to the proceedings, nor may he order such depositions. The same applies to statements about future or potential jurors, but also about court employees, lawyers and prosecutors and their respective family members, according to the judge’s ruling. New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg, who is responsible for the case, is an exception.

Trump is already attacking judges

Furthermore, Judge Merchan himself is not explicitly mentioned in the decree – meaning Trump will likely continue his attacks against him. Merchan decided the trial would begin April 15 during a hearing on Monday. On Tuesday alone, Trump published two posts on the social network he co-founded, Truth Social, harshly attacking Bragg and Merchan.

The Attorney General’s Office had called in late February for Trump’s statements to be limited to protect those involved in the proceedings. “The defendant has a long and perhaps unique history of using social media, speeches, rallies and other public statements to attack people he views as adversaries,” the letter said. In other proceedings, Trump is also prohibited from making statements about those involved in the trial and their family members after public attacks.

Trump paid $130,000

The 77-year-old, who wants to be re-elected to the White House for the Republicans in November, is accused in the hush money proceedings of, among other things, falsifying company documents. The background to the case is that in 2016, shortly before his election as president, Trump had $130,000 paid in hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels.

She claimed she had sex with him. Trump denies an affair, but does not deny that money flowed. Non-disclosure agreements between two parties are not illegal. However, Trump is accused of illegally recording the payments, attempting to illegally conceal them and thereby covering up other legal violations. Trump has pleaded not guilty. (SDA)

Source: Blick