Former President Donald Trump lashed out against his criminal trial and Judge Juan Merchan moments after a heated hearing over whether he violated a gag order for his previous statements about the case and potential witnesses.

"Every single Legal Scholar and Expert said that Soros backed prosecutor, Alvin Bragg, has "no case." This list includes Jonathan Turley, Gregg Jarrett, Byron York, Andrew McCarthy, Mark Levin, Alan Dershowitz, Mike Davis, David Rivkin, Kristin Shapiro, Brad Smith, Andrew Cherkasky, and many more. SO WHY WON'T THEY DROP THIS CASE? Alvin Bragg never wanted to bring it - thought it was a joke. Was furious at lawyer MARK POMERANTZ (will he be prosecuted?) for what he did," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"HIGHLY CONFLICTED, TO PUT IT MILDLY, JUDGE JUAN MERCHAN, HAS TAKEN AWAY MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH. EVERYBODY IS ALLOWED TO TALK AND LIE ABOUT ME, BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND MYSELF. THIS IS A KANGAROO COURT, AND THE JUDGE SHOULD RECUSE HIMSELF!" he wrote in a follow-up post.

Prosecutors accused Trump of violating the gag order in eight social media posts and two posts on his campaign website. They asked Judge Merchan to impose the maximum fine for violating the gag order, which prohibits Trump from commenting about potential witnesses or jury members.

During Tuesday's (April 23) hearing, Judge Merchan raised his voice and had several heated exchanges with Trump's attorneys as they tried to defend Trump's posts.

While Trump's lawyers argued that the former president was responding to attacks from potential witnesses, Judge Merchan pressed them to provide specific examples.

"I keep asking you over and over again for a specific answer, and I'm not getting an answer," Merchan said to Blanche.

"You're losing all credibility with the court," Merchan told Trump attorney Todd Blanche.

Judge Merchan said he is reserving his decision on whether to fine Trump for violating the gag order.

Simon Conway