On Monday, Justice Juan Merchan overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal trial announced his intention to hold the former president in contempt of court for the tenth time due to repeated violations of a gag order.
The judge expressed concern that the $1,000 fines imposed on Trump thus far have failed to deter him from breaching the order, which prohibits him from publicly commenting on jurors, witnesses, and the families of the judge and prosecutors if such statements are intended to interfere with the case.
Justice Merchan emphasized that while he is striving to avoid resorting to jail time, Trump‘s persistent and deliberate disregard for the gag order constitutes a direct affront to the rule of law.
He stressed that he views incarceration as a last resort, recognizing the potential disruption to the trial, the political implications of imprisoning a prominent presidential candidate just before an election, and the logistical challenges associated with detaining a former president under the protection of a lifetime Secret Service detail.
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Merchan said that he has explored all alternatives before considering jail time, but he remains prepared to impose such a sanction if deemed necessary for upholding the integrity of the legal process.
“I do not want to impose a jail sanction and have done everything I can to avoid doing so. But I will if necessary,” Merchan said from the bench in the absence of the jury.
REUTERS
