Former President Trump shared articles critical of Judge Juan Merchan and his family on Wednesday, seeming to check the limitations of the gag order placed on Trump in his New York hush money case.
Merchan extended the gag order Monday to block Trump from talking about his family, following the former president's critical remarks about Merchan’s daughter Loren. Trump was already prohibited from mentioning court workers and witnesses in the case.
This marks the third gag order amid Trump’s increasing legal battles.
Trump shared three articles from conservative news sites Thursday in a series of Truth Social posts that included similar attacks on Merchan’s family, alleging the judge's political bias against the former president.
Two of the articles were authored by conservative activist Laura Loomer, who alleged that Merchan was biased due to his wife and daughter’s legal work with organizations linked to Democratic politics.
A third article, by conservative commentator Gregg Jarrett, made less scandalous claims against Merchan’s family, but criticized his decision to institute and extend the gag order, arguing the judge “holds a contempt for the rule of law that is unfortunately typical these days of liberal jurists.”
Trump did not offer any comment on the stories, merely sharing the links in Truth Social posts. It is uncertain if the posts breach the judge’s order, as Trump did not make the statements himself.
The former president has been vocal and critical of the gag order, urging Merchan to withdraw from the case and for his charges to be dismissed.
“I just was informed that another corrupt New York Judge, Juan Merchan, GAGGED me so that I can not talk about the corruption and conflicts taking place in his courtroom with respect to a case that everyone, including the D.A., felt should never have been brought,” he wrote Tuesday in a Truth Social post. “They can talk about me, but I can’t talk about them???”
Trump is facing 34 felony counts over claims that he falsified business records in attempts to cover up hush money payments made to conceal an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the closing weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign.
The case is set to go to trial on April 15, marking the first time a former president stands trial on criminal charges.
The Hill has reached out to the Manhattan district attorney’s office and Trump’s legal team for comment.
