In a significant development during former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron ruled on Friday that a limited gag order on Donald Trump should also apply to his attorneys. This decision comes in response to their remarks about Engoron's staff and the barrage of threats and harassment that have "inundated" the judge's chambers since the trial began.

Judge Engoron justified his decision in a strongly-worded court order, referencing the well-documented threat of violence resulting from heated political rhetoric. His primary concern is the need to protect his staff from threats and physical harm, which outweighs the First Amendment rights of the defendants and their lawyers to comment on his staff.

The gag order specifically bars attorneys involved in the case from making any public statements, in or out of court, that reference confidential communications between the judge and his staff. This decision builds upon a previous gag order imposed on Donald Trump after he had shared a social media post attacking the judge's principal law clerk. Trump has violated the order twice since the trial's commencement last month, resulting in fines totaling $15,000.

Judge Engoron's latest order singles out two of Trump's attorneys, Christopher Kise and Alina Habba, for repeatedly making inappropriate remarks about his clerk. The attorneys have falsely accused her of bias against them and of improperly influencing the ongoing bench trial. The judge, however, dismissed their allegations, stating that the arguments lack any basis.

While the attorneys will still be permitted to reference the judge's clerk regarding scheduling and trial management matters, they are now prohibited from making statements about internal messages exchanged between the judge and his staff.

Alongside issuing the extended gag order, Judge Engoron highlighted the extensive harassment his chambers have experienced since the trial began, with hundreds of harassing calls, voicemails, emails, letters, and packages flooding in. Violations of the gag order will result in serious sanctions, reinforcing the judge's commitment to enforcing his rules.

The civil fraud trial, brought forth by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges a decade-long scheme by Donald Trump, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization, and others to inflate his net worth in order to gain financial benefits, such as tax advantages and favorable loan terms. Seeking approximately $250 million in damages, James also aims to prohibit the Trumps from operating another business in New York.

Judge Engoron has already found the defendants liable for fraudulently misrepresenting the values of real estate properties and other assets on financial records. The trial is expected to resolve six additional claims alleged by Attorney General James.

As this is breaking news, further updates regarding the trial and its proceedings will be provided.