A judge imposed a limited gag order on Donald Trump ahead of his criminal trial in New York over charges related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. The gag order bars Trump from discussing potential witnesses and jurors and from disparaging lawyers, court staff, and their relatives in a manner that might affect the trial. The order came after Trump slammed the judge, Juan Merchan, on social media and questioned his impartiality due to his daughter's work for a Democratic firm. Trump's lawyers argued a gag order would restrict his free speech as a presidential candidate, but the judge said recent comments threatened the trial process. The trial is scheduled to begin on April 15th over charges Trump falsified records to hide the Daniels payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen.