by Katelynn Richardson
The office of Alvin Bragg of the Manhattan Democratic District defended itself on Wednesday, keeping former President Donald Trump under a silence order, demanding that it remain in place at least until Trump’s sentencing hearing in slow July and any post-trial motions.
Trump’s lawyer he asked Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday reversed the order, writing in letter that “the concerns expressed by the government and the Court do not justify restrictions on President Trump’s First Amendment rights” after the trial. Prosecutors he didn’t agreeresponding that the order was intended to protect more than just trial proceedings.
“As People will explain more fully in our written dissent to defendant’s upcoming motion, these interests have not abated, and the Court has an obligation to protect the integrity of these proceedings and the fair administration of justice at least through the sentencing hearing and resolution of any post-trial motions,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Colangelo, who was previously on top clerk at Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ), the letter to Mercan said.
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 19, just days before the Republican National Convention.
JUST IN: Manhattan prosecutor opposes Trump’s insistence on lifting the silence order in his hush money case.
They say it should remain in effect through sentencing/post-trial motions. pic.twitter.com/6N1XUhw2VJ
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) June 5, 2024
Trump’s lawyers argued Tuesday that Trump must have “unbridled support for the campaign” in airy of Biden’s comments about the trial verdict and the decision to hold a campaign event outside the courthouse, as well as continued attacks on Trump from witnesses such as Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen.
They also noted the upcoming presidential debate scheduled for June 27.
The briefing schedule that prosecutors have proposed to consider lifting the injunction, consistent with that of other post-trial motions, will likely keep the injunction open to debate if adopted. Prosecutors asked for a June 13 deadline for presenting the defense’s motion and a June 27 deadline for the prosecutor’s final response.
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Katelynn Richardson is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Alvin Bragg” by Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
