Merchan imposed the gag order at the request of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, barring Trump from publicly commenting on witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and jurors. In the order, Merchan said that statements Trump has made regarding the case “were threatening, inflammatory, denigrating.” Trump is, however, permitted to criticize Bragg, who exempted himself from the order, in similar fashion as gag orders that were imposed in other cases the former president is facing. The order was first made last month, and was revised on April 1, preventing Trump from making public statements regarding possible trial witnesses “concerning their potential participation in the investigation or in this criminal proceeding.” On April 18, the District Attorney’s office said Trump violated the order seven times over the last few days and wants the posts included in a hearing that has been scheduled for Tuesday. Merchan did not issue a ruling on potential violations of the gag order but said he will wait for next week’s hearing. Prosecutor Chris Conroy said that Trump’s most “disturbing post” came the night before, when Trump reposted a quote from Fox News host Jesse Watters stating “they are catching undercover liberal activists lying to the judge,” in an attempt to get onto the jury. The post racked up more than 12,000 likes and more than 4,000 reposts. Conroy also flagged posts on Trump’s campaign website and on social media accounts referencing Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer who is slated as a key trial witness. “These statements all violate your order,” Conroy told Merchan. Trump’s lawyer Emil Bove said the gag order has some “ambiguities” and that Trump did not make any “willful violations” of the order, according to The New York Post. But Conroy said the posts do violate the order and requested Merchan hold Trump in contempt of court, potentially leading to fines and jail time of up to 30 days, the Post reported. “It’s ridiculous. It has to stop,” Conroy said.Prosecutors are accusing former President Donald Trump of violating a gag order placed on him by Judge Juan M. Merchan, who is presiding over his New York "hush money" trial.
