The New York judge presiding over Donald J. Trump’s civil fraud trial ordered the former president Tuesday not to attack or even comment on court staff after Mr. Trump posted a message to social media targeting the judge’s law clerk.
Mr. Trump went after the clerk, Allison Greenfield, shortly before noon on his Truth Social site. His post was a picture of Ms. Greenfield with Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader. Mr. Trump mocked Ms. Greenfield as “Schumer’s girlfriend” and said that the case against him should be dismissed.
Mr. Trump posted his message in the midst of a trial in which he is accused by the New York attorney general, Letitia James, of inflating the value of his assets in his annual financial statements to gain favorable treatment from banks and insurance companies.
The post was taken down during a lunch break, shortly after a closed-door meeting between the parties in the room where Mr. Trump is being tried….
“Personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate and I will not tolerate them under any circumstances,” the judge said.
Justice Engoron said that his statement should be considered a “gag order” forbidding any posts, emails or public remarks about members of his staff. He added that serious sanctions would follow were he to be disobeyed. He did not elaborate, but experts said that if the former president violates the order, the judge could fine Mr. Trump as much as $1,000 — or even hold him in jail for up to 30 days, though the chances of that happening are slim.
The former president’s social media posts have become an issue in several cases against him. Federal prosecutors who have accused Mr. Trump of seeking to overturn the 2020 election have asked a judge for a gag order, citing his threatening statements. In a criminal case against Mr. Trump in Manhattan that stems from a 2016 hush money payment to a porn star, the judge has restricted Mr. Trump’s ability to post about some evidence.