Trial on hush money: Trump seeks removal of restricted speech prohibition
Following the end of the legal proceedings, the comments made by the government and the court judges didn't lead to any additional limitations on Trump's freedom of expression. Blanche mentioned statements from Trump's opponents, like President Joe Biden, as the cause for lifting the prohibition on making inflammatory speeches. Biden had commented on Monday, calling the campaign a new phase with a "criminal felon."
Judge Merchan had put in place the restricted speech ban before the case was heard. Trump was forbidden from issuing any remarks potentially influencing those involved in the trial, including witnesses, jurors, attorneys, courtroom staff, and the prosecution.
Judge Merchan imposed a $10,000 fine on Trump for verbally attacking trial participants in a derogatory manner and violating the speech ban. The former president had frequently criticized potential witnesses and the prosecution on his Truth Social platform.
In the last seven days, the jurors have ruled Trump guilty in the trial for hiding payoffs to a porn star. He's the first ex-president in US history to be found guilty in a criminal trial. The sentence announcement is set for July 11.
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Trump argued for the removal of the restricted speech ban imposed by Judge Merchan, citing the conclusion of the hush money process trial. The hush money process itself involved Trump during his election campaign when he allegedly paid hush money to a porn star to suppress damaging information. Despite the court not imposing further limitations on his freedom of expression, Trump was fined $10,000 for violating the speech ban by attacking trial participants. The public prosecutor's office in New York continues to investigate Trump for other alleged violations related to the hush money process, with Todd Blanche leading the investigation. Even with the guilty verdict in the recent hush money trial, Trump's supporters have continued to rally around him, with some even suggesting a potential 2024 bid for the US Presidency, like Juan Merchan, who has been outspoken about politics on social media.
