Trump requests 'expedited review' of NY gag order from state Court of Appeals

Former President Donald Trump's attorneys in a Monday filing indicated that they would seek an "expedited review" by the New York Court of Appeals of a gag order in his ongoing civil fraud trial preventing him from publicly commenting on Judge Arthur Engoron or his staff.

"Without expedited review, [the defendants] will continue to suffer irreparable injury daily, as they are silenced on matters implicating the appearance of bias and impropriety on the bench during a trial of immense stakes," wrote attorney Clifford Robert, according to CBS News. "Petitioners' counsel have no means of preserving evidence of or arguments regarding such bias and impropriety at this time, since the Gag Orders also prohibit in-court statements."

Trump has accused both Engoron and his top clerk, Allison Greenfield of being biased against him. Engoron initially issued the order in response to Trump posting an image of Greenfield with the caption "Schumer's girlfriend." In mid-November, Judge David Friedman paused the gag order pending appeal, though the appellate court reinstated the restrictions on Thursday.

Engoron is overseeing New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James's fraud case against Trump involving claims he manipulated the value of his assets to secure favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums. James is seeking $250 million in damages and an order banning Trump and his two eldest sons from serving as officers in any New York-based firms.

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