'Election interference': Internet divided as Manhattan DA asks for gag order in Trump's hush-money case

MANHATTAN: With less than a month until the hush money criminal court case goes to trial, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has asked a judge to put a gag order on former President Donald Trump.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office filed a motion asking for an injunction, citing the former president's "longstanding history of attacking witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, judges, and others" engaged in his numerous legal proceedings as justification.

Prosecutors claim Trump has a habit of verbally attacking people

Prosecutors stated, "Defendant has a long history of making public and inflammatory remarks about the participants in various judicial proceedings against him, including jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and court staff."

They added, "Those remarks, as well as the inevitable reactions they incite from the defendant’s followers and allies, pose a significant and imminent threat to the orderly administration of this criminal proceeding and a substantial likelihood of causing material prejudice."

The criminal trial's jury selection process is scheduled to commence on March 25. Pointing to the former president's conduct towards jurors in previous court proceedings, the DA's office has requested that the identities and addresses of selected jurors be kept confidential, to be shared solely with their legal representatives.

The prosecutor's office points to Trump's "conduct in this and other matters – including his extensive history of attacking jurors in other proceedings," arguing that the behavior creates a "significant risk of juror harassment and intimidation that warrants reasonable protective measures to ensure the integrity of these proceedings, minimize obstacles to jury selection, and protect juror safety."

Bragg mentioned many instances of Trump's public remarks addressed to two separate Fulton County grand juries in the complaint.

In a particular instance, Trump remarked, "Thank you to the Special Grand Jury in the Great State of Georgia for your Patriotism & Courage. Total exoneration. The USA is very proud of you."

In another statement he remarked, "Would someone please tell the Fulton County Grand Jury that I did not tamper with the election."

According to the DA, during the grand jury inquiry in March 2023, Trump "repeatedly directed extrajudicial statements" against grand jury members via social media and commented on the reliability of witnesses who testified.

Internet divided as Manhattan DA asks judge for a gag order in Trump’s hush-money case

People on the internet had mixed reactions when Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg asked a judge to put a gag order on former President Donald Trump.

A user on X wrote, "He also released the illegal immigrant who killed Laken Riley before ICE could get to him," whereas another added, "Well, you see Alvin, Bragg has put a gag order on law and order in the city of New York. So in order to hide that he has to put a gag order on everyone else that would bring that to the attention of the world."

A user also wrote, "Election interference," while another added, "Hillary was fined for what Trump is being charged with in this case. Hillary does it, not a problem. Trump doesn't do it but is accused of doing it. Throw him in jail for 30 years."

Another person mentioned, "DA Bragg is an embarrassment to America."

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.