Judge Merchan Threatens Trump with Jail Time
On Monday, Donald Trump got hit with yet another gag order violation.
Judge Merchan fined him another $1,000, but there was more to it than that.
Merchan also told Trump that if this keeps up, he will toss the former president in jail.
Keep It Up
I think it is time we start to seriously ask if Trump actually wants to be sent to jail over this.
My thinking is that Trump believes this would be a great way to raise money for his campaign if it happens.
Trump came out of the courtroom all fired up on Monday after the 10th fine for violating the gag order and the threat from Merchan.
Trump told reporters outside the courtroom, “This judge has given me a gag order and said you’ll go to jail if you violate it.
“And frankly, you know what, our Constitution is much more important than jail. It’s not even close. I’ll do that sacrifice any day.
“But what’s happening here is a disgrace, and the appellate courts ought to get involved.”
Merchan warned Trump again, stating, "The last thing I want to consider is jail.
"You are [the] former president and possibly the next president."
Merchan noted the Secret Service protection provided for Trump, adding, "The magnitude of that decision is not lost on me.
"Your continued willful violation of the court’s order…constitutes a direct attack…and will not be allowed to continue…It is not allowed to continue."
Trump continues to say that the gag order is violating his First Amendment rights, but gag orders are nothing new and Trump’s argument is falling on deaf ears.
My guess is that Merchan might allow him one more violation, but anything beyond that, Trump is likely to find out just how serious Merchan is about sending him to jail.
