Former Watergate prosecutor Nick Akerman expressed astonishment over the gag order placed on President Trump in his hush money payments case, calling it a rarity in his extensive legal career, Fox News reports.
Speaking to CNN’s Fredericka Whitfield, Akerman remarked, “This is so unusual. This never happens, in over 50 years in law practice, both as a prosecutor and a defense lawyer.”
He elaborated on the significance of such an order, stating, “It’s not done, and the reason it’s not done is because once you start disparaging the judge, disparaging people in the courtroom, you’re putting yourself in harm’s way because that’s the judge that’s going to sentence you.”
Trump, known for his outspoken nature, criticized the gag order, labeling it “illegal, un-American, unconstitutional.” He accused Judge Juan Merchan of infringing on his First Amendment rights and even suggested a personal motive behind the order, linking it to Merchan’s daughter’s political affiliations, Fox News reports.
“Judge Juan Merchan, who is suffering from an acute case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (whose daughter represents Crooked Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, and other Radical Liberals, has just posted a picture of me behind bars, her obvious goal, and makes it completely impossible for me to get a fair trial) has now issued another illegal, un-American, unConstitutional ‘order,’ as he continues to try and take away my Rights,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
In defense of the gag order, Merchan cited Trump’s history of “prior extrajudicial statements,” which he deemed posed a risk to the administration of justice. The order prohibits Trump from making public statements about witnesses, court staff, or prospective jurors, among others, to prevent any interference with the judicial process.
Akerman expressed concern over Trump’s tendency to attack legal authorities, branding it “self-destructive” and warning of potential consequences. Former Acting U.S. Attorney General Matt Whitaker echoed this sentiment, cautioning against the restriction of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment.
