The judge said Monday that he warned Mr. Trump “off the record” about such comments, but that Mr. Trump ignored them. After Mr. Trump posted the content online on Tuesday, Mr. Engoron ordered Mr. Trump to delete the post, and it quickly disappeared from Mr. Trump’s social media site, Truth Social.
“Consider this statement a gag order forbidding all parties from posting, emailing or speaking publicly about my staff,” Engoron said. “Failure to comply with this order will result in significant sanctions.”
Earlier Tuesday, President Trump posted a message claiming that Greenfield “is bringing this lawsuit against me.” This message was taken from her X account, where she has less than 200 followers. Trump then linked to the Instagram account of Greenfield’s campaign for a Manhattan civil court judgeship.
“What a disgrace! This lawsuit should be dismissed immediately!!” Trump added.He also posted a photo of her and her Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and called her “Schumer’s girlfriend.”
Minutes later, the Trump campaign sent out a flurry of social media posts via email.
Trump posted the allegations about Greenfield while the trial was still in session. Shortly after the court adjourned for lunch, the judge did not allow reporters to re-enter and recalled the parties. Court resumed after a 45-minute delay after a lunch break.
Since the trial began on Monday morning, Greenfield has been sitting directly to Engoron’s right, which puts her directly opposite Trump. She returned to her seat Tuesday afternoon as Engoron read out her gag order.
President Trump, his adult sons and his companies are being sued for up to $250 million in fines stemming from what New York authorities describe as persistent business fraud.
Mr. Greenfield has been involved in long-running lawsuits related to the Trump Organization, particularly in this case last year in which New York Attorney General Tish James, who brought a civil fraud lawsuit, sought to enforce enforcement against Mr. Trump and his children. It has played an important role in the preceding stages. Donald Jr. and Ivanka testify against each other. James also complained that Trump’s companies are dragging their feet in responding to subpoenas.
The clerk took an active part in these proceedings, and Ms. Engoron often relied on her to ask questions of lawyers on both sides. Additionally, judges rarely ended hearings without consulting Greenfield about any unresolved issues they wanted to raise with the parties.
Engoron’s decision comes just as a federal judge in Washington, D.C., is considering a request for a stricter gag order against President Trump. Trump has been accused of repeatedly harassing and threatening witnesses, tainting the jury pool in Washington, D.C., and inciting threats against prosecutors. and in court in one of the four criminal cases he faces.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has scheduled a hearing for Oct. 16 to consider the issue. President Trump launched a series of social media attacks against key witnesses in the Washington, D.C.-based federal case against him brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, despite being told that prosecutors were seeking a gag order. Posted. His most pointed attack was against former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. Mr. Milley is expected to testify against him in both federal criminal cases.
President Trump’s abuse of judges, prosecutors and court officials has already had consequences in a New York state criminal case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The judge overseeing the case, Judge Juan Marchan, barred Mr. Trump from receiving the names and other personal information of Mr. Bragg’s office staff, except prosecutors and law enforcement officials, until jury selection begins. issued a confidentiality order.
In seeking the protective order, prosecutors said in court filings that Trump had “no witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, jurors, grand juries, judges, or others involved in the legal proceedings against him.” “He has a long and perhaps unique history of attacking people who have committed crimes against him, and of pushing these people into a corner.” And his family is at considerable security risk. ”
