Justice Arthur Engoron, the judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial, imposed a gag order on Trump on Tuesday, barring him and “all parties” from commenting on the New York City court’s staff.
“This morning one of the defendants posted to his social media account a disparaging, untrue and personally identifying post about a member of my staff,” Engoron said, according to Politico. “Personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate and I will not tolerate them in any circumstances.”
“Consider this statement a gag order forbidding all parties from posting, emailing or speaking publicly about any of my staff,” Engoron added. “Failure to abide by this order will result in serious sanctions.”
On Monday, Trump slammed Engoron in a post on Truth Social.
READ MORE: Judge orders Trump companies be dissolved
“JUST ARRIVED AT THE COURTHOUSE TO FIGHT A CORRUPT & RACIST ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND A ROGUE, OUT OF CONTROL, TRUMP HATING JUDGE, WHO REFUSES TO FOLLOW THE APPELLATE COURT DECISION WHICH KNOKS OUT 80% OF THIS SHAM CASE,” Trump’s post read. “THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!”
Engoron ruled last week that Trump, his family and the Trump Organization are liable for fraud, and ordered some of the former president’s companies to be dissolved, according to a copy of the ruling shared by The Associated Press.
Engoron’s ruling rejected Trump’s motion for summary judgement, siding with New York Attorney General Letitia James, who claimed that Trump repeatedly made false statements in business documents in order to receive favorable agreements with banks and insurance agencies.
The former president, his family, and multiple executives now face claims of bank fraud and insurance fraud in a civil trial of roughly $250 million.
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
