Judge Juan Merchan has threatened Donald Trump with jail time if the former president is found in contempt of court again, he announced today.
Trump has been found in contempt of court for the tenth time during a criminal hush money trial racking up $10,000 in fines.
Merchan said: “It appears that the $1,000 fines are not serving as a deterrent. The last thing I want to do is to put you in jail.
“You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well. There are many reasons why incarceration is truly a last resort for you.”
He did however note that putting Trump in jail would be “disruptive to the proceedings.”
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He added: “His continued willful violations of this court’s orders threaten the administration of justice and constitute a direct attack on the rule of law. I cannot allow that to continue.”
The gag order prevents Trump from making comments about the jury or witnesses with intent to influence their decisions or testimonies in the hush money case.
This latest offence, if posted to his Truth Social account or his official campaign website, must be deleted by 2:15 p.m. ET.
Trump responded: “This judge has taken away my constitutional right. We’re filing, I think today, a constitutional motion. If somebody says something about me and I’m not allowed to respond, that’s never happened before.”
The former president has made repeat complaints about his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who is due to testify for the prosecution in the hush money case.
His current lawyer Todd Blanche argued on Thursday that Trump should be able to respond to statements made about him by Cohen.
Blanche told the court that Trump should be able to defend himself, particularly as a presidential candidate.
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