Donald Trump‘s efforts to postpone his upcoming trial faced another blow as a mid-level state appeals court swiftly denied his request for a delay.
Trump’s legal team argued for postponement to contest a gag order in the case. Despite the denial, a full panel of judges will later review Trump’s challenge to the gag order.
Trump’s campaign spokesperson condemned the trial as a witch hunt and vowed to continue fighting it. This comes after a separate judge rejected Trump’s plea to relocate the trial from Manhattan, where a survey indicated significant negative public opinion against him.
During the hearing, Trump’s lawyer emphasized the need to modify the gag order, citing First Amendment concerns.
The order, imposed by Justice Juan Merchan, prohibits Trump from publicly attacking potential witnesses and court personnel. It was extended to cover family members of both Trump and the Manhattan District Attorney.
Steven Wu, representing the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, argued against further delays, citing the potential security risks and witness reluctance prompted by Trump’s public statements.
Trump faces charges related to hush money paid to Stormy Daniels, a porn star, to conceal an alleged affair.
The trial, set for April 15, marks one of four criminal indictments against Trump, who denies any wrongdoing. Amid his aspirations for a political comeback, Trump faces legal battles regarding his conduct during and after his presidency, including efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
