Stefanik Proclaims Triumph as New York Court Overturns ‘Unconstitutional’ Gag Order on Trump
Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, celebrated a win after an appellate court in New York temporarily suspended a restraining order that had previously barred former President Donald Trump and his legal team from discussing the judge’s staff in his ongoing New York civil fraud lawsuit.
Stefanik expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, linking it to her previous ethical complaint filed with the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct against Judge Arthur Engoron of Manhattan. In her statement, Stefanik highlighted that the appellate court’s decision to lift what she termed the ‘unconstitutional’ gag order imposed on Trump was a positive development.
The appellate court’s ruling came in response to an urgent lawsuit filed by Trump’s attorneys on Wednesday. They argued that the gag orders cast doubts on Judge Engoron’s impartiality as the adjudicator of Trump’s case. Trump’s legal team had sought a temporary suspension of both the gag orders and the penalties arising from Trump’s non-compliance. These orders were a consequence of Trump’s online disparagement of the judge’s chief law clerk, including posting personal details about her.
Trump, who had been fined $15,000 by Engoron for various infractions, was also summoned to testify about a particular comment he made. The appellate judge voiced concerns that the gag orders might be infringing upon Trump’s right to free speech, allowing him now to speak openly about Engoron’s staff during the appeal.
Stefanik, a firm ally of Trump, had filed a complaint against Judge Engoron last week, accusing him of biased and uncontrolled behavior against Trump and urging his resignation. In her recent statement, she stressed the importance of safeguarding the First Amendment and due-process rights for all, asserting that the issue extends far beyond Trump himself. She warned about the potential implications for others if such actions were allowed against a person of Trump’s stature, vowing to continue her fight for the rights of all New Yorkers.
