NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� A New York appeals court on Thursday denied Donald Trump鈥檚 bid to end a gag order in his hush money criminal case, rejecting the Republican president's argument that his May conviction 鈥渃onstitutes a change in circumstances鈥� that warrants lifting the restrictions.
A five-judge panel in the state鈥檚 mid-level appellate court ruled that the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, was correct in extending parts of the gag order until Trump is sentenced, writing that 鈥渢he fair administration of justice necessarily includes sentencing.鈥�
Merchan imposed the gag order in March, a few weeks before the trial started, after prosecutors raised concerns about Trump's habit of attacking people involved in his cases. During the trial, he held Trump in contempt of court and , and he threatened to jail him if he did it again.
The judge lifted some restrictions in June, freeing Trump to comment about witnesses and jurors but keeping trial prosecutors, court staffers and their families 鈥� including his own daughter 鈥� off limits until he is sentenced.
Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing, was originally scheduled to be sentenced July 11, but Merchan postponed it until Sept. 18, if necessary, while he weighs a defense request to throw out his conviction in the wake of the Supreme Court's .
Michael R. Sisak, The Associated Press
