The judge presiding over the Paul Manafort and Rick Gates criminal trial has issued a gag order instructing lawyers, defendants, and witnesses not to attempt to litigate the case in the press:
U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson's directive released Wednesday doesn't ban such statements outright, but prohibits any remarks that "pose a substantial likelihood of material prejudice to this case."
At a hearing last week, Jackson urged lawyers to make their arguments in court and "not on the courthouse steps." She also appeared to criticize a statement one of Manafort's lawyers made outside court calling the charges against his client "ridiculous."
"This is a criminal trial, and it's not a public relations campaign," the judge warned.
Read more: Judge issues gag order in Manafort, Gates case (Poltico)