Trump lawyers ask judge to lift gag order as prosecutors urge it to be kept in place through sentencing

Attorneys say restrictions on referring to participants in trial inhibits ex-president's first amendment rights

As Donald Trump fights for Judge Juan Merchan to lift a gag order barring him from speaking publicly about key figures in his New York trial, prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney's office are urging the judge to keep the order in place.

The court has an obligation to protect the integrity of these proceedings and the fair administration of justice at least through the sentencing hearing and the resolution of any post-trial motions," wrote the prosecutors in a letter on Wednesday.