Title: Judge Issues Second Gag Order Amidst Ongoing Spat in Trump Trial
Subtitle: Trump’s Lawyers and Judge Engoron Engage in Heated Debate Over Principal Law Clerk
Date: [Insert Date]
In a dramatic twist during the ongoing trial of former President Donald Trump, Judge Engoron has issued a second gag order following a contentious exchange between Trump’s lawyers and the judge. The dispute primarily revolves around Allison Greenfield, the judge’s principal law clerk, who has become a target of Trump’s unfounded allegations of bias.
Trump has repeatedly voiced his complaints about Greenfield, accusing her of being biased against him. This rhetoric prompted the judge to impose a separate gag order, preventing the former president from discussing the judge’s staff. Last week, Trump violated this order, resulting in fines.
Recently, Trump’s legal team intensified their grievances towards Greenfield. Alina Habba, one of the lawyers, complained about Greenfield’s alleged “eye rolls and constant whispering.” Another lawyer, Chris Kise, made a passing reference to Greenfield, which led the judge to accuse him of possible misogyny and threaten to expand the gag order.
During Friday’s court proceedings, Kise continued to focus on Greenfield’s alleged bias. He referenced a news article from the right-wing online outlet Breitbart that claimed Greenfield made excessive political donations. However, Judge Engoron discredited these allegations, declaring that he had never received such a complaint and wasn’t aware of them until Kise mentioned them in court.
Engoron firmly defended his law clerk, stating that he had an absolute right to consult with her and his other law clerks. He warned Kise and the legal team against making further comments regarding his staff, reinforcing that he wouldn’t tolerate it any longer.
Kise argued that stating objections on the record was crucial for future appeals, particularly if there were indications of bias during the passing of notes. Engoron agreed to consider the matter and make a ruling later in the day.
Expressing evident frustration, Judge Engoron regretfully acknowledged the rehashed subject, stating, “It’s a shame we’ve descended to this level.” He emphasized the significance of the trial’s high-profile nature, recognizing that the world is watching.
As the trial continues to captivate attention, the ongoing clash between Trump’s legal team and Judge Engoron over his law clerk raises concerns about the politicization of the proceedings. Observers and legal experts eagerly await the judge’s ruling on the matter and its potential impact on the trial’s trajectory.