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The appeal temporarily cancels the judge's decision to limit comments from Trump / Fine for the former President

2023-11-17 07:42:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The appeal temporarily cancels the judge's decision to limit comments from

An appellate judge in New York has temporarily overturned the decision to limit Donald Trump's comments regarding the members of the court who are considering the case against him. The judge raised concerns about freedom of speech.

Judge David Friedman's ruling allows the former president to comment freely on court staff while a longer appeals process unfolds.

Judge Arthur Engoron, who is hearing the case against Mr. Trump for financial fraud, issued an order on Oct. 3 to limit the former president's comments after he made false comments on social media about a female court employee.

The judge then fined Mr. Trump $15,000 for the violation and extended the fine to his lawyers after they raised questions about the court clerk's role in the case against Mr. Trump.

While making the decision in an emergency hearing on Thursday, Judge Friedman questioned Judge Engoron's authority to control Mr Trump's comments outside the courtroom.

Judge Friedman said decisions not to comment are usually made in criminal cases, when there is a fear that the comments could influence the case's jury. The civil trial against Mr. Trump has no jury.

Mr. Trump's lawyer, Christopher Kise, said the appeals judge "made the right decision and allowed President Trump to fully enjoy his First Amendment constitutional rights, the rights to speak about bias in his trial, what he is seeing and witnessing in his trial, which must be followed by all".

Another lawyer for Mr. Trump, Alina Habba, said she has no plans to advise the former president to remain silent about the court employee.

"I see no reason for restrictions because Ms. James continues to discredit my client," Ms. Habba said, referring to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the charges. "Both sides must be able to talk."

Judge Friedman's ruling also applies to Mr. Trump's lawyers and others involved in the case.

Mr. Trump and his lawyers have often criticized the court's employee, Allison Greenfield. They claim that the former Democratic candidate for a judgeship is a political voice in the ear of Judge Arthur Engoron, although he is also a Democrat.

Judge Engoron has defended her role in the courtroom, ordering her not to comment about court employees and fining Mr. Trump $15,000 for what the judge deemed a violation.

Last week, Judge Engoron asked lawyers in the case not to comment on "confidential communications" between him and the team.

Mr. Trump's lawyers, who asked for the judgment to be invalidated on Monday, say Judge Engoron's orders are unconstitutionally stifling free speech./ VOA