If I were the judge and such an order was consistent with CT. procedural rules, it would be my first order of business tomorrow. This is a high profile case, though, and as I have said before, FD is greatly benefitting from it. Everyone is watching, so the judge has to get his law clerk to research the law and draft a bulletproof order. That takes time, too. So once again, FD is playing the system, as he has learned to do so well.
Also, some judges are flat out philosophically opposed to issuing gag orders, for many valid reasons. They can be difficult to implement and enforce. Slicksters always find a way around them and it can become very messy, very quickly. There is also a feeling among some judges that such orders offend our collective free speech sensibilities and the notion of an open and fair trial. I agree these are valid concerns.
Still, there must be some limit to this conduct. It really is turning this whole case into a proverbial circus, constituting nothing more than a free continuous advertisement for NP. HE is the one keeping this in the press. HE is the one attempting to taint the jury pool, and will next claim such publicity justifies a change of venue. Some semblance of decorum has got to be imposed. It isn't the easiest of jobs but if a federal judge can issue and enforce and gag order against Roger Stone, who will be talking as they lower his casket into the ground, I am confident that this judge can likewise fashion an appropriate order here.
By the way, what ever happened to the trial that took NP away for awhile (and shut him up, as much as that is possible)? Let me guess, a guilty verdict or a guilty plea?
