Former President Trump’s hush money trial resumed on Tuesday with a hearing over whether he violated a gag order imposed on him in the case. Prosecutors with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office claim Trump has violated the order barring him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and the judge’s family 10 times. They are asking the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each violation.
Once that hearing concludes, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker is expected to retake the stand. Pecker is the first witness to testify in the case.
Trump’s defense lawyer, Ronald Fischetti, argued at the hearing that the gag order is a violation of Trump’s First Amendment rights. He also claimed that Trump’s comments were not directed at the witnesses or prosecutors in the case, but at the media.
The judge presiding over the case, Justice Juan Manuel Merchan, said he will issue a ruling on the gag order issue at a later time.
The trial is expected to continue for several weeks. Trump is facing charges of falsifying business records, conspiracy, and scheme to defraud. The charges stem from allegations that he paid hush money to an adult film star, Stormy Daniels, in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election to prevent her from speaking about an alleged affair she had with him.
