'This is a kangaroo court': Donald Trump criticizes judge Juan Merchan as his lawyer struggles to defend his gag order violations
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: In a recent development, former President Donald Trump, has found himself in a tight spot as his lawyer Todd Blanche struggled to defend him against allegations of violating a gag order.
The hush money trial, which resumed on Tuesday, April 23 did not start on a positive note for Trump.
Judge Juan Merchan told Blanche "You are losing all credibility" which forced Trump to take to Truth Soccial during the break, stating his constitutional rights for free speech were taken away.
Meanwhile, David Pecker who was the first witness to testify in the criminal trial on Monday, April 22, again took the witness stand on Tuesday.
Donald Trump is accused of violating gag order 10 times
The first item on the agenda was whether Trump had violated the gag order that prohibited him from attacking witnesses in the case.
Prosecutors allege that Trump has repeatedly violated this order, with instances of him seemingly ignoring it altogether.
On Monday, April 22, when the opening statement in the case started, he directly attacked his former lawyer, Michael Cohen.
Prosecutor Christopher Conroy presented documents to Judge Merchan detailing 10 alleged violations.
“Eight of the violative posts were on the defendant’s Truth Social account,” Conroy stated. He argued that the defendant has repeatedly and unabatedly violated this order, The Guardian reported from the courtroom where cameras have been banned.
Donald Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche struggled to defend his actions
Defense lawyer Todd Blanche argued that Trump is within his rights to comment on such matters.
“That’s the political, he’s allowed to respond to political attacks, your honor,” he said.
Blanche stated that seven of the alleged 10 gag order violations are not violations because they’re just re-posts.
Judge Merchan questioned Blanche’s argument, asking, “How does it get there, how does it get on to [your] client’s Truth Social account?”
Blanche explained that there’s a group of people who work with Trump and when they see articles they believe Trump’s audience should read, they get posted.
Donald Trump publicly lashes out at Judge Juan Merchan
However, Judge Merchan was not convinced and told Blanche, “Mr Blanche you’re losing all credibility, I have to tell you right now … You’re losing all credibility with the court.”
As the court broke for a short break, Donald Trump lashed out at the judge posting on Truth Social.
“HIGHLY CONFLICTED, TO PUT IT MILDLY, JUDGE JUAN MERCHAN, HAS TAKEN AWAY MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH," Donald Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.
"EVERYBODY IS ALLOWED TO TALK AND LIE ABOUT ME, BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND MYSELF. THIS IS A KANGAROO COURT, AND THE JUDGE SHOULD RECUSE HIMSELF!” he added.
