Donald Trump on Wednesday launched fresh vitriol against the judge and prosecuting attorney in his New York business fraud trial, carefully skirting a gag order imposed on him just a day prior.
Trump tried Tuesday to bully a court clerk, sharing false conspiracies about her as well as her personal information. Presiding Judge Arthur Engoron issued a gag order later that day prohibiting all parties involved in the case from publicly discussing court staff.
While Trump avoided mentioning court staff on Wednesday, he went all out with attacks against Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“This is election interference. They made up a fake case, these fraudulent people,” Trump told reporters. “And the judge already knows what he’s gonna do. He’s a Democrat judge. In all fairness to him, he has no choice.… He’s run by the Democrats.”
I think the judge has to keep their eyes on the prize, which is finding the most equitable outcome for all parties.
That only includes trying to keep Trump inline insofar as his behaviour might jeopardise an equitable outcome.
That means protecting court staff so they may execute their duties, but issuing orders needs to be balanced against the chances trumps supporters will believe the final ruling is inequitable.
True to form, that's exactly how Trump has responded to this gag order "see! It's all rigged!"