New York judge ends Arthur Engoron's gag order on Donald Trump

New York appeals court Judge David Friedman has lifted a gag order placed on Donald Trump by Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the civil fraud trial against the former president.

Friedman cited free speech issues in his decision to stay the gag order on Thursday.

Trump responded to the decision in a post to Truth Social saying, "Judge Arthur Engoron has just been overturned (stayed!) by the New York State Appellate Division (Appeals Court), for the 4th TIME (on the same case!). His Ridiculous and Unconstitutional Gag Order, not allowing me to defend myself against him and his politically biased and out of control, Trump Hating Clerk, who is sinking him and his Court to new levels of LOW, is a disgrace."

Trump made full use of his newfound freedom with that post, as he has previously been fined $5,000 for violating the order on Oct. 20, and was fined again on Oct. 25 to the tune of another $10,000.

Engoron also has threatened to throw Trump in prison if he continues to talk about the judge or his clerk, who is at the center of an effort by the former president's team to obtain a mistrial ruling because of claimed political bias.

Freidman found that Engoron had abused his power and that the use of gag orders was typically reserved for criminal, not civil, court cases. All of this is great news as it represents another big win for Trump and a loss for the corrupt Democrats trying to take him down.