Less than 24 hours after a partial gag order was issued in the New York criminal case against former President Donald Trump, he took to social media to repeatedly lash out at the judge involved. In a series of posts on his social media platform, Trump called Judge Juan Merchan "biased and conflicted" while also targeting the judge's daughter for a second consecutive day.

The ruling, which was issued by Judge Merchan on Tuesday, stated that Trump must refrain from making public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and their family members. However, the order did not mention the judge and his family members, providing a loophole that Trump exploited on Wednesday. He accused the judge of attempting to deprive him of his First Amendment rights and suggested that the judge should recuse himself from the case, claiming he suffered from "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

This pattern of attacking judges and the judicial system following adverse rulings is not new for Trump. Additionally, Trump aimed his criticisms at Merchan's daughter, who works at a progressive digital marketing agency that has supported Democratic candidates. Trump alleged that the judge's daughter worked to "Get Trump" and even claimed that she posted a picture of him behind bars, an accusation originating from a far-right activist and conspiracy theorist named Laura Loomer.

It is noteworthy that Trump had previously attacked the wife of Judge Arthur Engoran, who presided over his civil fraud trial, based on false allegations promoted by Loomer. The posts that Loomer shared were ultimately proven to be unrelated to the judge's wife, but Trump never acknowledged or apologized for the misinformation.

Trump's relentless criticism of judges on social media has not been without consequences. Judges Merchan, Engoron, and Tanya Chutkan, who presided over his federal election interference case, have received threats following Trump's complaints. The threats against these judges played a role in Merchan's decision to issue the gag order, citing the nature and impact of the statements made against the court, family members, district attorneys, and witnesses, particularly with the trial approaching.

Trump's attorneys argued that, as the presumptive Republican nominee for president, he should have unfettered access to the voting public to respond to attacks from political opponents. However, Judge Merchan deemed Trump's public commentary to be threatening, inflammatory, and denigrating. The judge noted that the consequences of these statements included fear and the need for increased security resources to investigate threats and protect individuals and their families.

The criminal case against Trump alleges that he falsified business records to conceal reimbursements made to his now-lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. Daniels has claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, an allegation he denies. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintains that they are part of a politically motivated witch hunt against him.

The ongoing social media attacks by Trump, in spite of the gag order, highlight the tension and contentiousness surrounding the case as the trial date approaches.