Judge denies Trump’s request to lift remaining parts of NY gag order.

Former President Donald Trump’s legal battles continue as a New York appeals court has denied his request to lift the remaining portions of the gag order imposed upon him in the case of New York v. Trump. This decision comes after Trump was found guilty on all counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, despite pleading not guilty.

The saga began when Judge Juan Merchan imposed a gag order on Trump, restricting him from making certain public statements about court staff, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s team, family members of the court and prosecutors, and even witnesses. Trump, adamant about defending his First Amendment rights, has consistently fought to have the gag order lifted.

Despite his efforts, the gag order remains firmly in place following the recent denial by the appeals court. Trump’s sentencing, originally scheduled for July 11, has been delayed due to the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity. The Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. United States established that a former president has immunity from prosecution for official acts in office but not for unofficial acts.

Trump, who also faces charges in special counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 case, has maintained his plea of not guilty amidst legal complexities surrounding official and unofficial acts. Judge Merchan, acknowledging the need for clarity, has set a potential sentencing hearing for September 18.

However, Trump’s legal team has pressed for more than just a sentencing delay. Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity, they have motioned for the overturning of Trump’s guilty verdict in New York v. Trump. The crux of their argument revolves around the admissibility of evidence related to official acts during the trial.

Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, has contended that certain evidence, including testimonies from former White House officials and employees, should not have been allowed in court. Blanche asserts that such evidence violates the Presidential immunity doctrine and taints the integrity of the case against Trump.

As the legal battle wages on, the future remains uncertain for Donald Trump as he navigates a complex web of legal challenges and court proceedings. The determination of whether the guilty verdict will be overturned hangs in the balance, awaiting a decisive ruling from the court.