Trial Day 4: Donald Trump takes a jab at Judge’s gag order ‘They Can Say Anything They Want

Former President Donald Trump persisted in criticizing New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan on Friday, labeling Merchan’s imposed gag order as “unconstitutional” and restricting his ability to speak candidly about the judge, witnesses, and his political adversaries, whom he derisively referred to as “real scum.” Addressing reporters prior to his appearance in court for the fourth day of his criminal trial in Manhattan, Trump condemned the trial’s politicized nature, citing the support of 32 legal experts who purportedly attest to the absence of a case against him.

“They can say anything they want,” Trump said about his political foes. “They continue to make up lies and I’m not allowed to speak.”

Trump questioned “So why am I gagged about telling the truth? I’m only telling the truth. They’re not telling the truth. The judge has to take off this gag order. It’s very, very unfair that my constitutional rights have been taken away.”

Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has brought forth 34 felony charges against Trump, alleging that he falsified documents to cover up an alleged sex scandal. This trial marks the historic first instance of a president of the United States facing criminal proceedings. If found guilty Trump could potentially be sentenced to jail time.

“This is a case that was put in very strongly because of politics,” Trump continued. “So instead of being in Pennsylvania or Georgia, or North Carolina and lots of other places today, I’m sitting in a courthouse all day long. This is going on for a week, and this will go on for another four or five weeks, and it’s very unfair.”