Judge partially lifts gag order imposed on Trump during hush money trial

A New York judge on Tuesday partially lifted a gag order on Donald Trump following his conviction last month in his so-called hush money trial.

The revised order now allows Trump, the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee, to speak publicly about witnesses in the case. However, the order keeps in place restrictions on his comments about prosecutors and others involved in the case.

Trump was found guilty on 34 criminal charges related to the falsifying of business records to pay hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, to conceal from the public during his 2016 presidential campaign her alleged sexual encounter with him. 

Trump's lawyers argued the gag order was stifling his campaign speech, and said it might limit his ability to respond to attacks from Democratic President Joe Biden during their coming debate on June 27, according to Reuters.

Prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said limits on Trump's speech about trial witnesses were no longer needed. But they urged Justice Juan Merchan to keep in place restrictions on his comments about jurors, court staff and individual prosecutors, citing risks to their safety, the wire service also reports.