Judge Arthur Engoron in Donald Trump's New York civil fraud case has upheld a $10,000 fine against Trump for comments he made about the judge's staff outside the courtroom. Trump had criticized the judge and his principal law clerk, saying the clerk was "very partisan" and biased. The judge ruled Trump's comments violated a limited gag order. Trump's lawyers argued the fine infringed on his free speech rights and that he was actually referring to former lawyer Michael Cohen, not the law clerk when he made the comments. However the judge did not find this explanation credible.