President Donald Trump resumed his attacks on the daughter of a New York judge who presided over his criminal trial, despite a gag order that was never officially lifted.
The president was barred from publicly commenting on the prosecution team that secured his conviction on 34 felony counts, as well as court staffers and their families, including the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan, whom Trump attacked early Monday in a retaliation against another judge who attempted to halt immigrant deportations.
“This Judge is almost as conflicted (actually, not even close!) as the Judge whose daughter made Millions of Dollars representing Biden/Harris against me, while her father presided over a Fake Case against me, and refused to RECUSE himself,” Trump posted to Truth Social shortly after midnight.
“He ought to be disbarred! The case was handled by crooked Alvin Bragg, the district attorney. They placed me under a GAG ORDER, preventing me from discussing the situation. Miscarriage of justice!!
Republican lawmakers have called for a criminal investigation into Loren Merchan, the judge’s daughter, who worked for a consulting firm that contracted with Kamala Harris’ first presidential campaign in 2019 and the 2024 election cycle. The company’s owner stated that she had little contact with the candidates.
“The gag order remains in effect until Judge Merchan lifts it (which he has not done) or the trial court loses jurisdiction of the case by virtue of Trump filing an appeal following his sentencing,” said Clark Neily of the Cato Institute in May, shortly after Trump was convicted of falsifying business records.
Trump appeared to understand this when he was finally sentenced in January, after being re-elected and 10 days before his inauguration.
“I was under a gag order, which I guess I’m still under, so I probably won’t do it now,” Trump said during the Jan. 10 sentencing hearing. “I am totally innocent, I did nothing wrong.”
Trump was granted an unconditional discharge for his criminal conviction, which means he will not face fines, imprisonment, or any other penalties for falsifying business records to conceal a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Merchan stated that this was the only lawful sentence that would not interfere with the president’s office.
