Justice Arthur Engoron who is the judge in charge of the civil fraud trial involving Donald Trump on Tuesday imposed a gag order on the former U.S. President and others in the case.
The order came against the backdrop of Trump’s attack in the social media on the judge’s top law clerk.
Justice Engoron of the New York state court in Manhattan informed lawyers for Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the fraud case, that such comments aimed at his staff were ‘unacceptable, inappropriate and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.’
The judge took action on the second day of testimony in the trial, prohibiting both sides from criticising his employees and threatening “serious sanctions” if anybody did.
The nature of these penalties was not specified by the judge, but they can include a judgement of contempt of court, which carries fines and, in rare instances, jail time.
“Consider this statement a gag order,” Engoron added.
James has accused Trump, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization and others of inflating asset values over a decade to secure favorable bank loans and insurance terms, and exaggerating Trump’s own riches by more than $2 billion.
The trial could lead to the dismantling of Trump’s business empire as he seeks to regain the presidency in 2024.
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Engoron spoke after Trump shared a social media post by the clerk, who was identified by name, posing with Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who is not involved in the case.
Trump referred to the clerk as “Schumer’s girlfriend.”
“How disgraceful!” added Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to face Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 election. “This case should be dismissed immediately!!”
Trump’s post was later deleted.
James is seeking at least $250 million in fines, a permanent ban against Trump and his sons Donald Jr. and Eric from running businesses in New York, and a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and the Trump Organization.
Trump, in the courtroom for a second straight day, wore his familiar blue suit, red tie and American flag pin as he sat hunched over a table with his lawyers. Trump told reporters he plans to testify.
The government’s first witness, Trump’s former accountant Donald Bender, testified again on Tuesday as the attorney general’s office tries to show that Trump and his family business deceived even the people reviewing his financials.