Trump 'attacking a key witness' just before trial spurs gag order questions from experts

Donald Trump on Saturday attacked a key witness in his felony criminal trial slated for Monday, prompting some to ask if there will be "consequences" for the apparent violation of a gag order in the hush money case.

Trump, who has long tested the gag orders applied to him in criminal and civil cases alike, even being fined in the past for violations, is scheduled to give a rally on Saturday. But before that speech, he took to his social media network, Truth Social, to attack those connected to the upcoming criminal case.

"Has Mark POMERANTZ been prosecuted for his terrible acts in and out of the D.A.’s Office," Trump wrote.

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He added, "Has disgraced attorney and felon Michael Cohen been prosecuted for LYING? Only TRUMP people get prosecuted by this Judge and these thugs! A dark day for our Country. MAGA2024!!!"

That comment about Cohen left experts wondering.

Political and legal commentator Allison Gill, better known as "Mueller, She Wrote," flagged the post on X, the platform formerly called Twitter.

"It appears as though Donald Trump has just violated the gag order by attacking the credibility of witness [Cohen]," she wrote. "Will there be any consequences?"

POLITICO's Kyle Cheney chimed in on the topic, as well.

"Trump attacking a key witness on eve of trial seems to run up against his gag order," Cheney said on social media.

Trump biographer Tim O'Brien said on Saturday, "Wondering about Trump’s gag order. And witness intimidation. All the things."

Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance echoed those sentiments on Saturday.

"There is a gag order that prohibits Trump from making public statements about witnesses concerning their participation at trial. Questioning their credibility would seem to cross that line," she wrote.