In a major setback for Donald Trump, New York's highest court has refused to hear the former president's appeal of the gag order in his hush money trial. cnn reported.
The gag order issued by Judge Juan Merchán remains intact after the Court of Appeals determined that the order does not raise “substantial” constitutional issues that would require immediate legal action.
The Republican candidate was found guilty last month of 34 felonies related to under-the-table payments made to adult star Stormy Daniels to keep their affair secret ahead of the 2016 US election.
In response to the court order, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung has vowed to “continue fighting the unconstitutional gag order imposed by Judge Merchan.”
The appeal of the gag order was filed with the high court in May by Trump's legal team on the basis that the order restricted Trump's “central political speech on matters of central importance at the height of his presidential campaign.”
Just before Trump's trial began in March, Merchan had agreed to prosecutors' request for a gag order preventing Trump from making public comments about anyone connected to the case except the judge or the Manhattan district attorney. , Alvin Bragg.
However, Trump repeatedly violated the gag order and was even fined $10,000.
According to court spokesman Gary Spencer, Trump's team now has 30 days to file a motion for leave to appeal.
