"Judge Imposes Gag Order on Trump in Manhattan Criminal Trial, Experts Weigh In"

A New York judge has issued a gag order barring Donald Trump from publicly commenting on witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial, citing his history of threatening remarks. The order comes ahead of the trial's April 15 start date and aims to prevent potential harm and ensure trial integrity. Trump's lawyers argued against the order, emphasizing free speech rights, but the judge deemed trial integrity as paramount. The case involves allegations of falsifying payments to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to cover up negative stories during the 2016 campaign.