The judge presiding over the civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump issued an order Friday prohibiting all of the defendant’s attorneys from making public statements about the judge’s communications with his subordinates.
Arthur Engoron of New York State Court in Manhattan issued the injunction after defense attorneys raised repeated objections to his working relationship with the court’s chief clerk, including suggestions that she was biased. Trump himself also accused the secretary of bias.
In the court order, Engoron said it had the “full right” to consult with its employees throughout the process and that the order was intended to ensure their safety.
“The First Amendment right of defendants and their attorneys to speak out against my employees is greatly outweighed by the need to protect them from threats and physical harm,” Engoron said.
Violation of the order “will result in significant sanctions,” the judge warned.
Engoron issued the first court order on October 3, after Trump posted a photo on social media of the court clerk posing with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat. At the same time, Trump falsely called her Schumer’s “girlfriend.”
A judge fined Trump $15,000 for violating the court order twice. On Friday, Engoron expanded the ban to lawyers after a member of Trump’s legal team, Christopher Kice, objected to the clerk providing notes to the judge during the trial.
The ban came after Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, testified in court this week. His father is expected to testify Monday.
