Appeals court rejects Trump's latest bid to lift his New York gag order

New York’s Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump must keep his mouth shut just a little bit longer, at least when it comes to attacking those who took part in his hush money trial, dismissing the former president's latest effort to lift his gag order.

New York’s highest court refused to hear Trump’s bid “upon the ground that no substantial constitutional question is directly involved,” CNBC reported. This means that the gag order that bars Trump from speaking about jurors, witnesses and others involved in the criminal case against remains in effect.

The presumptive Republican nominee is due to be sentenced July 11 after being convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records to cover up a hush payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

Trump’s attorneys had previously asked trial court Judge Juan Merchan to lift the gag order after jurors found the former president guilty on all counts. They argue that Trump should be entitled to openly discuss the case and that the gag order was a violation of his right to free speech, the Associated Press reported. Merchan is expected to rule on the issue later this month.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office previously requested that Merchan keep the order in place at least until Trump is sentenced, four days before the Republican National Convention.