Judge in Trump's Hush Money Trial Eases Gag Order Ahead of Sentencing

Judge Juan Merchan has partially lifted the gag order he imposed on former President Trump during his criminal trial in New York. The gag order previously barred Trump from making public statements about witnesses, counsel, and court and DA staff and their families. Merchan's new ruling allows Trump to speak publicly about protected witnesses and jurors from the trial. However, Trump is still prohibited from commenting on individual prosecutors, court staff, and their families until after his sentencing on July 11. The gag order was imposed at the start of Trump's trial to protect the integrity of the judicial proceedings. Trump's lawyers argued the full gag order violated his First Amendment rights and those of his supporters.