A lawyer representing Donald Trump urged a federal appeals court on Monday to lift a gag order against the former president in a criminal case. Meanwhile, a prosecutor argued that restrictions are essential to prevent intimidation and threats against participants in the case, which charges Trump with scheming to overturn the 2020 election.
During the hearing, appeals court judges posed skeptical and, at times, aggressive questions to attorneys on both sides. The judges are deliberating on whether to reinstate an order from a trial judge that prohibited Trump from making inflammatory comments about prosecutors, potential witnesses, and court staff.
The judges explored various hypothetical scenarios, seeking to strike a balance between preserving Trump’s First Amendment rights and ensuring the integrity and truth-finding function of the criminal trial process.