Federal Appeals Court Partially Upholds Trump Gag Order in Election Interference and Subversion Cases

A federal appeals court panel has upheld most of the gag order on former President Donald Trump in his federal election-interference case, stating that some of his remarks pose a threat to the orderly adjudication of justice. However, the court ruled that the lower court judge's gag order was too broad and protected speech under the First Amendment. Trump can make public statements about the special counsel in the case but not other prosecutors, court staffers, or their family members if those remarks interfere with the ongoing case. The court emphasized that Trump, like other criminal defendants, does not have unfettered rights to speak. The ruling preserves restrictions on Trump and others from disparaging likely witnesses and court staff involved in the case.