Attempts to Control Trump's Public Statements in Court

Currently, there are two court orders in place that restrict what former President Donald Trump is allowed to say publicly. In the federal election obstruction case in Washington, prosecutors obtained a gag order prohibiting Trump from making comments targeting them, potential witnesses, and court staff. While Trump's legal team is pushing to have the order lifted, an appeals court may review the decision. In a separate civil fraud trial in New York, a judge fined Trump for violating a narrower gag order that prevented him from criticizing the judge's staff. These legal constraints on Trump's speech raise questions about his ability to comply fully and the potential consequences if he continues to violate the orders.