Ladies and gents, grab your popcorn because the Trump drama is far from over. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s legal team is going toe-to-toe with Justice Juan Merchan, demanding the gag order in his hush-money case be lifted now that the trial is done and dusted.

On Monday, Trump's lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove fired off a letter to Justice Merchan arguing that the court's restrictions "do not justify continued limitations" on Trump's First Amendment rights. Let’s remember, Trump was found guilty of 34 counts—yeah, you read that right—34 counts of falsifying business records. The prosecution wants the gag to stay a little longer, "at least through the sentencing hearing."

The infamous gag order, issued on March 26, bars Trump from blabbing about witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff, and their families. Ironically, he's still allowed to vent about Justice Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg to his heart's content.

Trump's legal eagles claim that free speech is essential, especially since his political rival, President Joe Biden, has been talking publicly about the case. They insist Trump should be allowed to defend himself against persistent public jabs from key prosecution witnesses, including his ex-attorney Michael Cohen and adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Moreover, Donald's gonna need those vocal cords for the first presidential debate against Biden on June 27.

What's the point in all this courtroom drama? Trump's sentencing is slated for July 11—just four days before he's expected to be crowned the Republican party's presidential nominee.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office is standing its ground, making it clear the gag order isn't only about ensuring a fair trial. It's about safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process, including sentencing and any possible post-trial motions. Expect a detailed response from the DA's office once Trump’s team files a formal motion to lift the gag order.

Throughout the trial, Trump's camp pushed repeatedly to nix the order, but Judge Merchan wasn't budging. Trump was even slapped with a $10,000 fine for violating the gag and faced the threat of jail time. Judge Merchan made it crystal clear: "Your continued willful violation of the court’s order...constitutes a direct attack…and will not be allowed to continue."

While Trump can still fire verbal shots at DA Alvin Bragg and Judge Merchan, prosecutors originally pushed for the gag to "protect the integrity of this criminal proceeding and avoid prejudice to the jury." On Friday, Trump told reporters the gag order, in his words, is "nasty" and should've evaporated with the trial's conclusion. Seemingly still clutching his pearls over being branded a "convicted felon" by President Biden, Trump lamented the restrictions keeping him from naming Cohen, a central prosecution witness who predictably raised Trump's ire.

The curtain is far from closing on this saga. With Trump’s sentencing and the presidential campaign trail heating up, expect the fireworks to keep exploding. Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying summer.