New York Court Rejects Effort to Stop Publication of Trump Niece’s Book

A New York court on Thursday dismissed an effort by President Trump’s brother, Robert, to block the publication of a book by Mary Trump, the president’s niece, although the lawsuit will likely move to a different court.

Judge Peter J. Kelly of Queens County Surrogate’s Court rejected the effort, writing that it was filed in an improper jurisdiction.

Mary Trump’s lawyer issued a statement commending the decision.

“Democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas, and neither this court nor any other has authority to violate the Constitution by imposing a prior restraint on core political speech,” Theodore Boutrous Jr. said.

The attorney for Robert Trump, however, intends on petitioning the state Supreme Court.

“Robert Trump, Mary Trump and the other family members who settled in 2001, agreed to jurisdiction of future disputes in the Surrogate’s Court of Queens County, New York,” Harder said. “This matter therefore was filed in that court. Today, the Surrogate’s Court ruled that it does not have jurisdiction over the dispute. Therefore, Robert Trump will proceed with filing a new lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court.”

The basis for the lawsuit is an alleged non-disclosure agreement and settlement following a court case concerning the will of the president’s father, Fred Trump, who died in 1999.

Mary Trump’s book, “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man,” is set for publication on July 28.