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BREAKING: Judge Merchan Partially Lifts Trump’s Gag Order

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A judicial ruling by Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday has altered the landscape of former President Donald Trump’s post-trial constraints. Under a now-revised gag order, Trump is permitted to publicly address the roles of jurors and witnesses from his recent criminal trial, which culminated in his felony conviction back in May. However, the order maintains restrictions on discussing other case-related individuals until his sentencing scheduled for July 11, according to The Associated Press.

This comes in the wake of Trump’s conviction for falsifying business records in an attempt to cover up a potential sex scandal. The ruling marked a historic moment, making Trump the first former president to be convicted of a criminal charge. He was found guilty on all 34 counts.

Judge Merchan issued the gag order on Trump back on March 26, just weeks before the trial began. The ruling, stemming from Trump’s legal battle in Manhattan, restricted him from making public comments about court staff involved in his criminal case. The gag order came after Trump posted comments on social media targeting court personnel.

Judge Merchan said at the time of the trial, “The court has a duty to protect its staff from threats and harassment.” Trump and his legal team vehemently opposed the gag order, arguing it infringed upon his First Amendment rights. His attorneys said that Trump should be able to freely discuss his case, particularly given his status as a public figure and presidential candidate. However, Judge Merchan held Trump in contempt of court for violating the gag order. Trump was fined $10,000 for the infraction and warned that further violations could result in jail time.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung expressed his disapproval of Judge Merchan’s decision to not fully rescind the gag order. “This is another unlawful decision by a highly conflicted judge, which is blatantly un-American as it gags President Trump, the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election during the upcoming Presidential Debate on Thursday,” Cheung said. He further stated that Trump’s legal team “will immediately challenge” the order.

Just days before his Thursday debate with Joe Biden, the Republican frontrunner is free to go on the offensive once more. The gag order, albeit limited, had previously silenced him, will now allow Trump to target his former lawyer Michael Cohen, adult film actress Stormy Daniels, and other key witnesses.

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The high-profile debate is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, at 9:00 p.m. EDT in Atlanta, Georgia, with CNN hosting the event. Moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will oversee the 90-minute debate, designed to proceed without interruptions.

This will mark a critical juncture in the political calendar, being the first time Biden and Trump will share the stage since the 2020 presidential debates. The event is part of two debates that the Biden campaign has agreed to, stepping away from the traditional Commission on Presidential Debates organized events. The second debate is planned for September 10, hosted by ABC News.

With tight polling figures between Biden and Trump, this debate is poised to be a crucial opportunity for both candidates to articulate their policies and address critiques directly on a national stage. This debate is not only a chance to influence undecided voters but also to potentially shift the momentum in a closely contested race for the White House.

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