'Is this still America?' Sean Hannity blasts Trump gag order placed after ex-prez targeted hush money trial judge and daughter

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Fox News opinion host Sean Hannity expressed outrage at the gag order imposed on Donald Trump in New York City on March 26, condemning it as "un-American" and a violation of Trump's freedom of speech.

The gag order was instituted by Judge Juan Merchan shortly after Trump's public criticism of the judge and even targeted his daughter in a tirade on Truth Social.

Hannity condemns Donald Trump gag order, saying 'the message is very clear'

Trump is currently facing trial in New York City for his involvement in hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and allegations of falsifying business records to conceal them.

Hannity pointed out that defendants in courts across the US could face gag orders or contempt of court charges for consistently insulting court officials or making comments that might be seen as attempts to intimidate the court.

"Now Trump cannot even speak out in his own defense. He can't defend himself against political attacks stemming from the indictments," Hannity expressed passionately on Fox News on the night of March 26.

Adding to his statements, Hannity said, "Of course, this was conveniently handed down in the middle of an election. I thought we’d lived in the United States of America. I thought we celebrated freedom of speech. Is this still America?"

"Because I’m beginning to wonder if far left courts in this country are out of control. They’re doing this more and more, silencing people and threatening people that they’ll send them to jail if they dare speak out in their own defense," he continued.

"Message is very clear, if the powerful government bureaucrats in New York City, Washington DC, Fulton County, Georgia, they don’t like your politics. They don’t like your last name. They’re going to try and put you in jail. They want to take away your property," Hannity added.

"They want to silence your dissent and ruin your life forever. Is that the country you want to live in? If Democrats are successful in 223 days in November, this chilling system of justice that will be coming to a town near you. If they can do this to Trump, they can do it to anybody," he concluded finally. 

Hannity mischaracterizes Donald Trump's gag order

Although Hannity neglected to acknowledge Trump's confrontational remarks toward the court in his remarks, he did overstate the scope of the gag order implemented by Judge Merchan on Trump.

The gag order did not prohibit Trump from defending himself; instead, it limited his ability to publicly criticize specific individuals, such as potential witnesses, court personnel, prosecutors (excluding DA Alvin Bragg), and jurors.

Trump has faced partial gag orders in his trial for interfering in the DC election and during his civil fraud trial after launching attacks against the judge, the judge’s wife, and even sharing the name and personal Instagram account of the court clerk on social media.

Trump's habit of launching public attacks has stirred controversy, leading to a wave of threats and hostility aimed at his targets.

According to reports, Trump's Gad order read:

Defendant is directed to refrain from the following: a. Making or directing others to make public statements about known or reasonably foreseeable witnesses concerning their potential participation in the investigation or in this criminal proceeding; b. Making or directing others to make public statements about (1) counsel in the case other than the District Attorney, (2) members of the court’s staff and the District Attorney’s staff, or (3) the family members of any counsel or staff member, if those statements are made with the intent to materially interfere with, or to cause others to materially interfere with, counsel’s or staff’s work in this criminal case, or with the knowledge that such interference is likely to result; and c. Making or directing others to make public statements about any prospective juror or any juror in this criminal proceeding. The foregoing constitutes the Decision and Order of the Court.

Dated: March 26, 2024 New York, New York MAK 26 2024 Juan M. Merchan Judge of the Court Claims Acting Justice of the Supreme Court HON. J. MERCHAN