Trump

AP News - Days after a New York judge expanded a gag order on Donald Trump to curtail “inflammatory” speech, the former president tested its limits by disparaging two key witnesses in his upcoming criminal hush money trial as liars. In a post on his Truth Social platform Wednesday, Trump called his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, and the adult film actor Stormy Daniels “two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!” In an order first made in March, and then revised on April 1, Judge Juan Merchan barred Trump from making public statements about probable trial witnesses “concerning their potential participation in the investigation or in this criminal proceeding.” Merchan’s order didn’t give specific examples of what types of statements about witnesses were banned. He noted the order was not intended to prevent the former president from responding to political attacks.

CNN - Jury selection begins Monday in former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial. Trump, who is now the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is required to be in court and does not have the option of skipping any of the proceedings over the next six to eight weeks. The case relating to payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels is the first of four criminal trials Trump will potentially face — and possibly the only one before the 2024 election. Police tell CNN they are ramping up security around the New York City courthouse ahead of Trump's arrival and expect most of the perimeter will be frozen. The NYPD will also be using drones, barricades and extra police officers to keep the location safe in anticipation of likely demonstrations