Judge Threatens Jail Time as Trump Violates Gag Order Again
TL/DR –
Former President Donald Trump has been held in contempt of court for violating a gag order for the 10th time during his criminal trial in New York. Judge Juan Merchan imposed a fine of $1,000 for Trump’s comments about the political makeup of the jury, with further infractions potentially leading to jail time. Trump currently faces 34 charges of falsifying business records and has pleaded not guilty.
Trump Held in Contempt of Court for Gag Order Violations
In Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York, the judge held him in contempt for repeatedly violating a gag order, warning that future violations could lead to jail time.
Judge Juan Merchan announced Trump violated his order on April 22 by commenting on the jury’s political makeup during an interview with Real America’s Voice.
In his written order, Merchan stated Trump’s comments undermined the proceedings’ integrity. He imposed a $1,000 fine, the maximum under state law. He previously fined Trump $9,000 for nine violations on his social media and campaign website. The judge noted that the fines were not deterring Trump and suggested jail time for future infractions.
Merchan stated that jailing Trump was undesirable due to the disruption it would cause to the trial and the challenges it poses to the Secret Service and court officers. However, he stated that the gag order violations were a direct attack on the rule of law which he cannot allow to continue. Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying business records and has pleaded not guilty.
The Gag Order in Trump’s Trial
Merchan issued the initial gag order in March, barring Trump from commenting on likely witnesses, potential jurors, court staff, prosecution lawyers and others linked to the case. Merchan later expanded the order to cover his family members following Trump’s attacks on his daughter over her consulting work with Democratic candidates and progressive causes.
The order does not restrict Trump from criticizing Merchan or Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney. Merchan found Trump violated the order in nine out of ten instances raised by prosecutors in earlier motions. In Monday’s order, he considered four more alleged violations, finding only one in violation of his gag order.
Merchan’s verdict concludes that Trump’s interview with Real America’s Voice did violate the order. Trump has been warned repeatedly by Merchan not to speak about jurors. In his ruling, he stated that if future violations are warranted, they will be punishable by incarceration.
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