On Thursday, legal representatives for former President Trump submitted an appeal to challenge the gag order imposed in his federal election interference case, which restricts him from making derogatory statements about witnesses.

The gag order had been reinstated by Judge Tanya Chutkan on Monday. This filing fulfills their commitment to seek a stay on the judge’s decision.

In their submission, they characterize the gag order as “extraordinary” and assert that it stifles Trump’s freedom of speech rights, The Hill reported.

“No court in American history has imposed a gag order on a criminal defendant who is actively campaigning for public office — let alone the leading candidate for President of the United States,” Trump’s attorneys wrote.

“The Gag Order violates the First Amendment rights of President Trump and over 100 million Americans who listen to him,” the filing continues.

Judge Chutkan has previously argued that the order does get in the way of former president Trump’s free speech rights, but that those rights “must yield, when necessary, to the orderly administration of justice.”

Written by B.C. Begley