Donald Trump issued gag order during fraud trial

New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, presiding over the trial, issued the order

The order was imposed after Trump singled out the clerk by name and shared her image on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Justice Engoron responded with stern disapproval, saying it was unacceptable and inappropriate.

“Personal attacks on members on my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate, and I won’t tolerate it [in my courtroom],” said New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron.

He later added: “Consider this a gag order for all parties from posting about any members of my staff.”

Trump’s social media posts alleged that Alison R. Greenfield, the clerk, was running the case against him.

“Schumer’s girlfriend, Alison R. Greenfield, is running this case against me. How disgraceful! This case should be dismissed immediately!!” he wrote.

Accompanied by a picture of Greenfield and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the posts quickly garnered attention.

Fact-checkers, however, noted that these allegations had questionable origins and lacked substantial evidence.

Justice Engoron – without mentioning the former president by name – made it clear that he would not tolerate such behaviour in his courtroom.

He ordered the “untrue and personally identifying posts” about a staff member to be deleted, and Trump complied by removing them from his Truth Social account.

Questions regarding the security of the clerk arose in the wake of the post. When asked about potential security measures, a court spokesman declined to provide details, citing security concerns.

During a break in the trial, Trump and New York Attorney-General Letitia James had multiple private conferences with the judge.

Notably, the first of these conferences had no stenographer present, adding an air of mystery to these closed-door discussions.

This incident is not the first time Trump has engaged in public conflicts with members of the legal system on social media.

New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. Chutkan, presiding over Trump’s election obstruction case in Washington, D.C., also received a death threat following the former president’s online tirade.

Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office, responsible for the case against Trump in Washington, D.C., cited his incendiary language on social media to propose a “narrow” gag order.

Smith’s team has been monitoring Trump’s social media posts, press interviews, and campaign appearances, flagging remarks related to government officials and witnesses in the case.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in the federal case in Washington, D.C., scheduled for trial beginning on March 4, creating anticipation for a high-stakes legal showdown.