The Republican attorney general of Missouri has asked the Supreme Court to block New York's "poisonous lawfare" against Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate for president.

Trump's gag order in his "hush money" case infringes on the right of Missouri voters to hear from a major candidate for the presidency, Bailey says in his lawsuit against New York.

He wants the Supreme Court to lift the gag order and delay Trump's sentencing until after the election in November.

New York's election meddling

The judge in the case, Juan Merchan, imposed the gag order before Trump's "hush money" trial began.

Merchan later expanded the gag order to shield his daughter from scrutiny after her connections to Democrats became known.

Bailey criticized Merchan for refusing to recuse himself despite donating to Joe Biden and "having a close family member who stood to gain financially from a conviction," The judge imposed a gag order on Trump "when he pointed these facts out to the public."

Bailey also criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) for trying to "keep Trump out of the White House."

"I will not sit idly by while Soros-backed prosecutors hold Missouri voters hostage in this presidential election. I am filing suit to ensure every Missourian can exercise their right to hear from and vote for their preferred presidential candidate," Bailey said.

"Poisonous" lawfare

Bailey asked the Supreme Court for a preliminary injunction to block any developments in the case "until after the American people have had their say at the ballot box."

"This lawfare is poisonous to American democracy. The American people ought to be able to participate in a presidential election free from New York’s interference. Any gag order and sentence should be stayed until after the election," Bailey's lawsuit states.

Trump's lawyers have sought to lift the gag order, citing the First Amendment and the fact that the trial is over.

Merchan narrowed the gag order in late June to let Trump comment on witnesses and jurors, but the remainder is in effect pending his sentencing.

The sentencing has been delayed to September after Trump moved to overturn the conviction, citing the Supreme Court's historic immunity ruling.

Trump was initially facing a sentencing on July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.