'He’s not been gagged': Experts break down why Trump’s latest social media 'threat' is allowed
During Tuesday's episode of MSNBC's Chris Jansing Reports, NBC News correspondent Vaughn Hillyard and legal analyst Catherine Christian explained what former President Donald Trump can and cannot do during his ongoing New York civil fraud trial under the gag order imposed by presiding Judge Arthur Engoron.
The experts' discussion comes after the 2024 MAGA hopeful's latest social media post, which "greatly endangers" Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James," according to an ex-top U.S. Dept. of Justice official.
"Vaughn, overnight, the former president reposted a message," Jansing said. "This is very much in keeping with Donald Trump, but it was calling for a citizen's arrest of Judge Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Did that come up at any point today?"
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"It has not come up. [legal analyst] Lisa Rubin, our producer Adam Reiss, they're in the courtroom and their ears perked up because this repost by Donald Trump came out just minutes before the courtroom came into session here. And I think it needs to be understood that Donald Trump was reposting on his social media account an individual who explicitly said that they would like to see 'Letitia James and Judge Engoron placed under citizen's arrest for blatant election interference and harassment.' Donald Trump is not in lower Manhattan here this week, but I think it's important to underscore the fact millions of people are following him on the social media account and right now, the gag order is presently against speaking about courtroom staff — not Letitia James and not the judge specifically. But this was a direct some could very well call a threat."
Jansing said, "Yeah, I want you to expound on that if you can. A question I get a lot, Catherine, and I'm guessing you probably do, too — 'Well, there's a gag order. How come he can post all this stuff?' The answer is?"
Christian replied, "Well, the gag order in New York is only limited to the court staff. The gag order on the January 6th case has been stayed until next week. so there is no gag order. the same way he called for the execution of [former U.S. Army] General [Mark] Milley. You know, he can do this. He has not been gagged. It's only about the judge's court staff."
Watch the video below or at this link.
'How come he can post all this stuff?': Legal analysts break down 'limits' on Trump gag orderyoutu.be
READ MORE: 'Actual incitement': Former DOJ official warns on Trump’s latest post
