Former President Donald Trump, in an apparent act of defiance against a gag order, publicly criticized one of the prosecutors involved in the Manhattan hush-money trial on Thursday. Standing outside the courtroom, Trump targeted a prosecutor named Matthew Colangelo, alleging that the trial is being orchestrated by the Biden administration at the state level.

Accompanied by his defense attorney Todd Blanche and Republican lawmakers including Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Trump claimed that Colangelo, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyer, is "running the trial" on behalf of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office. This statement appears to violate the gag order, which limits Trump's criticism to prosecutors with the exception of Bragg.

Although Trump did not mention Colangelo by name, his comments left no doubt as to whom he was referring. Trump vehemently denounced the trial, labeling it as a "scam" and a "sham" that should not proceed.

This direct attack on Colangelo comes just a day after Trump ally Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio also criticized the lead prosecutor, essentially echoing the same concerns expressed by the former President.

The gag order, which prohibits Trump from publicly attacking prosecutors involved in the trial, aims to ensure a fair judicial process. However, it appears that Trump's frustration with the trial has led him to openly defy this order and target Colangelo.

The hush-money trial itself involves allegations of illegal payments made to women who claim to have had affairs with Trump prior to his presidency. As the trial continues, it remains to be seen how Trump's comments and the violation of the gag order will impact the proceedings.

The Manhattan DA's office has not yet commented on Trump's remarks or the violation of the gag order. It remains to be seen what consequences, if any, will arise from Trump's public criticism of the lead prosecutor.

As the trial unfolds, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the legal repercussions of Trump's brazen defiance and the impact it may have on the overall proceedings.