Trump Gag Order Hearing Postponed; First Witness to Testify
Former President Trump faces a hearing on Tuesday to determine if he violated a court-imposed gag order. The hearing will take place at 9:30 AM in Manhattan Criminal Court before Judge Juan Merchan.
Prosecutors allege that Trump made more than seven public statements that violated the order, which prohibits him from making or directing others to make public statements about witnesses or the case. Trump and his defense attorneys have argued that the gag order violates his First Amendment rights.
If Trump is found to have violated the gag order, he could face a $1,000 fine for each instance or up to 30 days in jail.
The hearing is expected to be followed by testimony from the prosecution’s first witness, David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media and publisher of the National Enquirer.
Pecker is expected to testify about a “catch and kill” scheme that he, Trump, and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen allegedly used to suppress negative stories about Trump during the 2016 presidential election.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has called the trial a “political persecution.” He has vowed to “tell the truth” if he takes the stand.
