US Judge warns Trump to refrain from social media posts

A New York judge warned former US President Donald Trump to refrain from rhetoric on social media that could inflame or cause civil unrest, Associated Press reported.

The judge Juan Merchan said he was not imposing a gag order, at this point, but he asked both sides to refrain from comments that could lead to civil unrest. The gag order would have restrict Trump and his legal team as well as others involved in the proceedings from speaking publicly about the case.

A gag order is a legal order that restricts or prohibits individuals involved in a legal case from speaking about the case or sharing information with the public or the media.

Trump has been told to temper down social media posts related to the indictment and is next due in court in December although his lawyers asked for him to be excused from attending the hearing in person. The prosecution has asked for the trial to begin in 2024.

Previously, Trump claimed on Truth Social that his arrest is imminent and issued an extraordinary call for his supporters to protest.

Trump appeared in court on Tuesday where he was formally charged in a criminal case related to hush payments from 2016. After being processed by prosecutors, he was taken to the courtroom to face Judge Juan Merchan where he pleaded not guilty to all 34 felony counts which include falsifying business records.

His arraignment marks a first in US history - no other former president has ever been indicted on criminal charges. Although Trump was impeached twice as president, he had not faced criminal charges.