BREAKING: DA Alvin Bragg Files Motion To Hold Trump In Contempt For Violating Gag Order

On Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) filed a motion to hold presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump in contempt for allegedly violating the gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan after Trump attacked witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels on Truth Social. On the first day of Trump's criminal trial, the prosecution moved to attempt to punish Trump with a $3,000 fine for the violations, citing three instances that each carry a $1,000 fine.

The gag order imposed on Trump restricts his ability to comment on witnesses in the case, a fact that Trump maligned on Truth Social on Tuesday. "This conflicted, Trump Hating Judge won't let me respond to people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long," Trump wrote. "He is running rough shod over my lawyers and legal team. The New York System of "Justice" is being decimated by critics from all over the World. I want to speak, or at least be able to respond. Election Interference! RIGGED, UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRIAL! Take off the Gag Order!!!"

In the filing submitted by Bragg's office, the district attorney wrote that the judge must take action to punish Trump for the violations. "Defendant is not above the law, and he cannot simply disregard judicial orders that upset him," Bragg wrote. "Defendant's recent social media posts plainly violate the order because they target known witnesses concerning their participation in this criminal proceeding."

The DA's office cites three instances where Trump violated the order with the first taking place on April 10 when Trump posted an image of an X post from Stormy Daniels' former lawyer Michael Avenatti that read, "We can't be hypocrites when it comes to the 1st Amendment. It is outrageous that Cohen and Daniels can do countless TV interviews, post on social, & make $$ on bogus documentaries — all by talking shit about Trump — but he's gagged and threatened with jail if he responds." Trump then added, "Thank you to Michael Avenatti—for revealing the truth about two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!"

The second alleged violation also took place on April 10 when Trump posted an image of a letter signed by Stormy Daniels in 2018 that denied any sexual encounter with Trump. "LOOK WHAT WAS JUST FOUND! WILL
THE FAKE NEWS REPORT IT' Trump commented alongside the picture.

The last violation took place on April 13 when Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Has Mark POMERANTZ been prosecuted for his terrible acts in and out of the D.A.'s Office. Has disgraced attorney and felon Michael Cohen been prosecuted for LYING? Only TRUMP people get prosecuted by this Judge and these thugs! A dark day for our Country. MAGA2024!!!"

BREAKING.🚨

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg files motion to hold Trump in contempt for violating 'gag order'pic.twitter.com/pQngFOqaTY

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) April 16, 2024

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