'He is not on trial': Internet divided as Donald Trump's defense attorney Todd Blanche asks judge to put a gag order on Michael Cohen

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Donald Trump's attorney Todd Blanche has asked Judge Juan Merchan to put a gag order in place so Michael Cohen cannot speak publicly about the case. Blanche points to the TikTok Cohen posted this week wearing a white T-shirt with a picture of Trump behind bars.

The attorney also asked the judge to order the prosecution to instruct the witness not to talk about this case. Cohen is expected to begin his testimony on Monday, May 13. 

What did Todd Blanche say?

"Mr Cohen continues to speak publicly about this trial and President Trump as recently, I believe Wednesday night …he was wearing a white T-shirt with a picture of President Trump behind bars in an orange jumpsuit …. he be prohibited from talking the same way President Trump is," Blanche said, as per The Guardian. 

He continued, "It’s becoming a problem every single day that President Trump is not allowed to respond to this witness but this witness is allowed to talk... Our request is that the court order the government instruct the witness to not talk about President Trump or this case until the case is over." 

Prosecutor says they have 'no control' over what witnesses do

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass responded to Cohen saying they have "no control" over what witnesses do. "We have repeatedly — repeatedly — asked the witnesses not to do that," he said, adding prosecutors "have repeatedly instructed all of the witnesses in this case to the extent we have control over it," CNN reports. 

Both Trump and Cohen have hurled insults at each other, but because Trump is barred from publicly remarking about witnesses under the judge’s gag order, the former president has not been able to respond to recent attacks.  

The judge asked Michael Cohen not to speak about Donald Trump or the ongoing case

Judge Juan Merchan said that he would "direct the people to communicate to Mr (Michael) Cohen that the judge is asking him to refrain from making any more statements" about this case or Trump. Merchan told prosecutors to inform him this is coming from the bench.

Donald Trump wailed about his gag order after he left the court 

While Donald Trump left the court on Friday, May 10, he bawled his gag order while others say "whatever they want." "Everybody can say whatever they want," he said. "But I'm not allowed to say anything about anybody. It's a disgrace," he added.

The former president went on to show clips of stories criticizing the case, including from Jonathan Turley and Sean Hannity. Trump also repeatedly attacked President Joe Biden and took credit for the stock market going up, claiming it's a response to his leading in the polls.

Internet reacts to defense attorney asking judge to put gag order on Michael Cohen

Internet users also voiced their opinions after Trump's defense attorney asked Juan Merchan to place gag order on Cohen. "It’s amazing alright.. a Judge should have done this back in 2016… we’d all be better off," opined an X user. Another user asked, "Trump broke his gag order several times before just like an alpha so why is he surrendering to a leftist liberal judge now?" 

"Cohen has already been a defendant & served time for this Trump crime" opined one while another neitezen added, "Let Michael speak!! Redeem himself for all the times he he helped Trump, hurting hard-working honest people along the way!!" "Um. He is not on trial, Donald," reminded one. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.