New York's Highest Court Rejects Trump's Gag Order Appeal

This morning, the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, rejected Donald Trump's last attempt to appeal Justice Merchan's gag order. Previously the gag order was imposed through the end of the trial, after which Merchan substantially limited the gag order. 

In a short order this morning, the New York Court of Appeals wrote that the appeal is "dismissed without costs, by the Court sua sponte, upon the ground that no substantial constitutional question is directly involved."

As a result of today's order, the limited gag order will remain in place at least through mid-November, when Trump is expected to face sentencing in front of Merchan. 

Prior to sentencing, Merchan will decide whether or not to vacate Trump's criminal convictions based on the recent Supreme Court immunity decision, although, as many legal scholars pointed out, it is unlikely that Merchan will vacate many, if any, of the convictions. 

Read today's short order below: