Trump and numerous mainstream media outlets that he has frequently criticized have joined forces to oppose Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s effort to restrict public access to evidence in his hush money case against the former president.

As reported by NBC News, a coalition of news organizations, including NBC News, sent a letter on Monday objecting to a proposed protective order from Bragg that would limit the use of evidence prior to trial, possibly resulting in the sealing or redaction of certain items.

Tuesday, according to Trump’s counsel, the former White House occupant signed the letter.

Citing the letter, Trump’s attorneys asserted their opposition to “requiring the advance sealing or redaction of court filings or exhibits in this case.”

“We similarly oppose any Order which would require any Party to seek consent from the opposing party before filing any motion in unredacted form on the public docket,” attorneys Susan Necheles, Joe Tacopina and Todd Blanche wrote to New York state Judge Juan Merchan, who has been assigned to oversee the trial.

The decision of news organizations to oppose Bragg’s protective order stands in stark contrast to Trump’s frequent attacks on the media. Throughout his presidency, Trump referred to the media as the “enemy of the people” and “fake news.”

Even after leaving office, he has continued to criticize journalists, particularly in relation to media coverage of the trial concerning hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

This week, Trump’s legal team also criticized Bragg’s proposed protective order, which seeks to prevent Trump from publicly discussing certain evidence, including on social media. In a statement, his attorneys labeled the request a “unprecedented and extraordinarily broad gag order against a leading candidate for the presidency of the United States” and argued that it would violate his rights under the First Amendment.

Last month, Bragg’s office reportedly asked Merchan to restrict Trump’s ability to examine the prosecution’s evidence against him without the presence of an attorney.

Bragg’s office argued that such a restriction would prevent the former president from disclosing case details as he seeks reelection in 2024.

“When 34 felony charges were unsealed against Mr. Trump earlier this month, prosecutors working for the district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, said they were working with the former president’s lawyers to come to an agreement as to how some case material — personal information of witnesses and evidence, including grand jury testimony — could be used,” The New York Times reported.

“But the opposing sides could not reach an agreement, and the prosecution’s request is now expected to be opposed by Mr. Trump’s lawyers. Ultimately it will fall to the judge in the case, Juan M. Merchan, to determine whether to limit Mr. Trump’s access and public comments in any way,” the report continued.

According to the report, the prosecution was not seeking a gag order to prevent Trump from discussing the case at all, as Merchan indicated he would not authorize such an order at this time. Nonetheless, the prosecution’s appeal may limit Trump’s ability to use the evidence for political purposes.

The Times added that the motion, presented by assistant district attorney Catherine McCaw, is the first move in what is expected to be a contentious and protracted legal battle between the two parties on numerous issues in the coming months as the case moves toward trial.

More on this story via Conservative Brief:

“Mr. Bragg has accused the former president of orchestrating the cover-up of a $130,000 hush-money payment made to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, who agreed to keep quiet about her story of a sexual encounter with Mr. Trump. The payment was made by Mr. Trump’s former fixer, Michael D. Cohen, who is expected to become a crucial witness for prosecutors at trial,” the Times said, adding that a trial is not expected until next year — in the middle of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. CONTINUE READING…