Donald Trump’s request to lift his gag order was rejected Thursday by a New York appeals court, which reasoned there’s still a potential for threats against the court and District Attorney Alvin Bragg ahead of the former president’s sentencing in September.

In an unsigned order, a group of New York judges from its appellate division said Mr. Bragg was able to “demonstrate that threats received by district attorney staff after the jury verdict continued to pose a significant and imminent threat.”

“We have considered [Mr. Trump’s] remaining arguments and find them unavailing,” the three-page order read.

The court reasoned New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan had properly weighed Mr. Trump’s First Amendment rights with the commitment to “ensuring the fair administration of justice.”

Originally, Mr. Trump’s gag order that was imposed on him during his business-record trial in New York prohibited him from speaking about the court, the district attorney’s office and witnesses.

It was partially lifted after the verdict, so Mr. Trump could comment on witnesses — but Judge Merchan left in place a ban on commenting about the court and the district attorney’s office.

The conviction of Mr. Trump was historic — the first time a former president faced criminal charges that went to trial. He was found guilty of all 34 counts in May.

Prosecutors said Mr. Trump used personal attorney Michael Cohen to pay $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election because she was shopping a story about an alleged sexual encounter with Mr. Trump in Lake Tahoe in 2006.

Mr. Trump’s sentencing date is scheduled for Sept. 18.

A spokesperson from Mr. Trump’s legal team didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.