The Manhattan judge imposed another fine on Donald Trump on Monday and issued a warning of potential imprisonment due to his repeated violation of a gag order for the tenth time during his hush money trial.
“Mr. Trump, you have to understand that I truly don’t want to throw you in jail,” Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan warned ahead of the jury being brought into the room for the third week of testimony.
“As much as I do not want to impose a jail sanction, I want you to understand that I will, if it’s necessary and appropriate,” Merchan added.
The legal expert acknowledged his comprehension of the “significance” and “wider impact” of imprisoning the ex-president and possibly future president.
“You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well,” the judge said. “There are many reasons why incarceration is truly a last resort for me. To take that step would be disruptive to these proceedings.”
The legal expert acknowledged his comprehension of the “significance” and “wider impact” of imprisoning the ex-president and possibly future president.
Before the trial, Judge Merchan issued a ruling prohibiting the former president from discussing jurors, witnesses, and the families of court staff and prosecutors, including Judge Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s relatives.
In an interview on Real America’s Voice on April 22, the 77-year-old Trump violated this order for the 10th time by stating, “That jury was picked so fast – 95% Democrat.”
Each violation of the gag order can result in a fine of up to $1,000, and last week, Trump was penalized $9,000 after the judge determined that he had previously broken the rule nine times by sharing information about expected witnesses and the jury on social media.
“It appears that the $1,000 fines are not serving as a deterrent,” Merchan said Monday. “Therefore, going forward, this court will have to consider a jail sanction.”
Trump is on trial for falsifying business records in an alleged bid to cover-up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels made in the run up to the 2016 election. The payment was made to keep her from speaking out about claims she had a one-night stand with a married Trump in 2007.
