New York's highest court dismisses Trump's appeal of secret money trial order

New York's highest court has made a decision regarding former President Donald Trump's appeal of the gag order in his criminal hush money trial. The New York Court of Appeals has declined to hear Trump's bid, stating that "no substantial constitutional question is directly involved."

The decision means that Trump's gag order, which prohibits him from discussing jurors, witnesses, and other parties involved in the Manhattan Supreme Court case, will remain in effect despite the conclusion of the trial. Trump's attorneys had requested Judge Juan Merchan to terminate the gag order as the trial had concluded, but the Manhattan District Attorney's office urged Merchan to keep the restrictions in place until after a sentencing hearing is held and certain post-trial motions are resolved.

Legal Battle Continues

Despite the decision, Trump's campaign spokesman Steven Cheung stated that the former president and his legal team will continue to fight against the "unconstitutional gag order" imposed by Justice Merchan. Cheung emphasized that the order "wrongfully silences" Trump, particularly during the height of his campaign, and asserted that voters "have a fundamental right to hear his message." However, Trump's attorney Todd Blanche did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and a spokesperson for the Manhattan DA declined to provide any comments.

Trump, who was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, is set to be sentenced on July 11. This sentencing date falls just four days before his party's nominating convention. While the crime of falsifying business records in New York carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, the presiding judge could potentially deliver a sentence that spares Trump from serving any time behind bars.