Donald J. Trump’s legal team on Friday repeatedly attacked a law clerk during the former president’s civil fraud trial, overshadowing Eric Trump’s second day on the witness stand and prompting the judge to bar the lawyers from making public statements about his private communications with his staff. The judge, Arthur F. Engoron, works closely with the clerk, Allison Greenfield, and the two often speak and pass notes on the bench. Ms. Greenfield previously worked as a trial attorney in New York City’s law department, and the judge appears to rely on her expertise when considering rules of evidence and other matters. But the former president has taken issue with her involvement in the monthlong trial — Ms. Greenfield is a Democrat and Mr. Trump believes she is biased against him — and his lawyers have complained about her regularly. He said that the lawyers’ arguments had no basis, that their accusations of bias were false and that failure to heed the order would result in “serious sanctions.”

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Persons: Donald J, overshadowing Eric Trump’s, Arthur F, Allison Greenfield, Greenfield, Trump, —, Christopher M, Kise, Justice Engoron Locations: New York, Greenfield