Former President Donald Trump's inflammatory statements may result in a gag order in his New York trial on 34 felony counts, legal experts suggested. During his arraignment, Judge Juan Merchan instructed Trump's legal team and the prosecutors to avoid making statements that could encourage violence and civil unrest. But late on Tuesday, the ex-president insulted Merchan, his family, Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg and others, risking a possible penalty. Legal minds wondered when the ex-president might cross the line with his rhetoric. There is no court that would want to impose a gag order on a US president, said J. Michael Luttig, a former federal judge and lawyer. But if Trump forces Manhattan criminal court, the latter might have no choice. 

Judge Merchan, his family, and the Manhattan court have already received multiple threats since Trump's arraignment, two sources stated. These come in various forms such as calls, emails, and letters, and are now being taken seriously in terms of security measures by the New York police detail assigned to the DA's office and the court.