Judge holds Trump in contempt of court for violating gag order
President Donald Trump’s criminal trial
In a significant development in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in New York, Judge Juan Merchan held Trump in contempt of court for the 10th time for violating a gag order. The judge warned of the possibility of jail time for Trump if he continues to commit infractions. This latest violation occurred when Trump commented on the political composition of the jury, stating that it was mostly made up of Democrats, calling the situation unfair.
Violation casts doubt on the proceedings
According to Merchan’s written order, Trump’s comments not only raised concerns about the integrity and legitimacy of the trial, but also the safety of the jurors and their loved ones. The judge emphasized that Trump’s repeated violations of the gag order constitute a direct attack on the rule of law, making it clear that he cannot allow such behavior to continue.
The imposed penalty and previous fines
As a consequence of violating the gag order, Trump was fined the maximum amount of $1,000, as allowed under state law. This follows Merchan’s previous decision to fine the former president $9,000 for nine violations related to posts on social media and his campaign website. However, the judge noted that the fines did not appear to act as a sufficient deterrent and left open the possibility of future incarceration for Trump.
The possibility of jail time for future violations
Alluding to the potential for future jail sanctions, Merchan stated that, while it is “the last thing I want to do,” continued violations might lead to Trump’s incarceration. He acknowledged the challenges associated with imprisoning a former president, which would disrupt the trial and pose difficulties for the Secret Service and court officers responsible for protecting Trump.
The Trump gag order
The original gag order, issued by Merchan in March, prohibited Trump from commenting on likely witnesses, potential jurors, court staff, and lawyers involved in the case. The judge later expanded the order to cover Trump’s family members, particularly after Trump’s attacks on the Judge’s daughter, who worked as a consultant for Democratic candidates and progressive causes.
Merchan’s ruling on different violations
Regarding the violations, Merchan ruled that Trump’s comments about Michael Cohen, his former attorney, and David Pecker, a former media executive who testified in the trial, did not constitute violations. Trump had referred to Cohen as a “convicted liar” and complimented Pecker during a campaign stop. Merchan found these statements to be protected political speech in response to political attacks.
However, the judge deemed Trump’s interview with Real America’s Voice as a violation of the gag order, emphasizing Trump’s persistence in disregarding his warnings to not discuss the jury.
Future consequences
Merchan’s order also serves as a warning to Trump, informing him that further violations will be subject to punitive measures, which may include imprisonment. Although not ordered in this particular case, the judge specified that Trump’s repeated violations across multiple motions demonstrate that monetary fines alone have not deterred the former president from breaking the court’s lawful orders.
Graham Kates
Graham Kates is an investigative reporter covering criminal justice, privacy issues, and information security for this news website. Contact him at [email protected] or [email protected]
