Manhattan prosecutors argue Trump gag order applies to judge's daughter

Prosecutors in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against former President Donald Trump argued Friday that a gag order that Judge Juan Merchan imposed against the ex-commander-in-chief applies to the judge's daughter.

Merchan imposed the gag order on Tuesday, barring Trump from making public comments about potential jurors, court staff, attorneys or their families; but permitted him to criticize Bragg. The district attorney has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to a 2016 payment his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, made to Stormy Daniels. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Trump on Wednesday fumed over the gag order, and highlighted Merchan's daughter's social media activity and political alignment against him, calling Loren Merchan a "[r]abid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me."

Bragg's prosecutors argued Friday that the order ought to apply to Merchan's daughter, saying the "March 26 Order is properly read to protect family members of the Court."

"But to avoid any doubt... this Court should now clarify or confirm that the Order protects family members of the Court, the District Attorney, and all other individuals mentioned in the Order," they continued, according to The Hill. 

Trump's attorneys, for their part, argued that the order did not apply "in the manner claimed by the People, which they seem to acknowledge by suggesting the need to 'avoid any doubt.'"

Trump last year asked Merchan to recuse himself in light of his daughter's employment with a left-wing organization and his past rulings related to the former president, though he declined to do so.

"So, let me get this straight, the Judge’s daughter is allowed to post pictures of her “dream” of putting me in jail, the Manhattan D.A. is able to say whatever lies about me he wants, the Judge can violate our Laws and Constitution at every turn, but I am not allowed to talk about the attacks against me, and the Lunatics trying to destroy my life, and prevent me from winning the 2024 Presidential Election, which I am dominating?" Trump also posted on Truth Social on Wednesday. "Maybe the Judge is such a hater because his daughter makes money by working to 'Get Trump,' and when he rules against me over and over again, he is making her company, and her, richer and richer. How can this be allowed?"

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.