Judge Expands Donald Trump's Gag Order in Hush Money Case

New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan expanded the gag order against former US President Donald Trump on Monday (Apr. 1) to limit his recent tirades against Merchan's daughter Loren.

The Hill reported that the gag order extension was based on a series of posts Trump made on Truth Social attacking Loren Merchan since the former president was placed under a gag order last week.

"This pattern of attacking family members of presiding jurists and attorneys assigned to his cases serves no legitimate purpose," Merchan wrote in his ruling. "It merely injects fear in those assigned or called to participate in the proceedings, that not only they, but their family members as well, are 'fair game' for Defendant's vitriol."

Among others, Trump's previous gag order limited his public statements about jurors, witnesses, and "the family members of any counsel or staff member," but it did not extend to family members of Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The latest order expanded the prohibition to Bragg and Merchan's family.

Trump repeatedly directed his rage at Loren Merchan, who served as an executive at a progressive political consulting firm whose clients have included prominent Democrats like US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

In one post, the former president shared a link with a photo of Loren Merchan.

However, Trump's legal team opposed expanding the gag order, arguing in court papers that the posts were protected political advocacy under the First Amendment.

Trump's lawyers also emphasized his status as the presumptive Republican nominee, arguing that the posts were "necessary and appropriate in the current environment."

On the other hand, Merchan called such arguments "farcical," describing Trump's comments as "dangerous rhetoric."

"Such concerns will undoubtedly interfere with the fair administration of justice and constitutes a direct attack on the Rule of Law itself," he wrote.

"Again, all citizens, called upon to participate in these proceedings, whether as a juror, a witness, or in some other capacity, must now concern themselves not only with their own personal safety, but with the safety and the potential for personal attacks upon their loved ones. That reality cannot be overstated."

Previously, Trump's legal team urged Merchan to recuse himself from the case over his daughter's work, arguing that it questioned his impartiality.

Merchan ultimately rejected their request after seeking guidance from the state's judicial ethics advisory committee. Trump's lawyers signaled earlier Monday that they plan to file a new recusal motion.

Targeting Merchan's family was not the first time Trump challenged judicial authorities, as he also targeted the trial judge's wife and son on Truth Social during his civil fraud case, purporting they wanted to see him face prison time or were financially benefiting from the proceeding.

He also aimed at the wives of political opponents within the Republican Party, including Sen. Ted Cruz (TX) and then-candidate Jeb Bush.