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The New York Court of Appeal declined to hear President Donald Trump’s appeal to his gag order Tuesday, as it was previously placed by presiding Judge Juan Merchan during his New York trial involving alleged falsified business records.
NBC News reported that the court dismissed the appeal “upon the ground that no substantial constitutional question is directly involved,” allowing Merchan’s gag order to remain in place as Trump’s sentencing date approaches.
Last month, Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts involving alleged falsified business records due to a nondisclosure payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels, which was brought forward by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
On March 26, prior to the start of the trial, Merchan placed a gag order on Trump, as prosecutors claimed there were concerns over the 45th president’s comments about people involved in the case, according to The Washington Post. However, during the trial, Merchan held Trump in contempt, fined him $10,000, and threatened jail time for violating the order, the outlet reported.
Republicans have rallied behind the 45th president over the conviction, with many calling out what appears to be a connection between President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice and Trump’s trial.
For example, one of Bragg’s lead prosecutors, Michael Colangelo, not only previously worked for Biden, but Federal Election Commission (FEC) records in 2018 show Colangelo received thousands of dollars for “political consulting” from the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Additionally, Merchan has been found to have donated $35 to Democrats in 2020, making the payments through an online Democratic fundraising platform called ActBlue, according to FEC records. The payments made by the presiding judge are earmarked as a $15 donation to Biden, a $10 donation to a Democrat outreach organization called Progressive Turnout Project, and another $10 donation to an organization called Stop Republicans.
Trump’s sentencing for the case is scheduled for July 11.