Trump Warned of Potential Jail Time by Judge Merchan

Donald Trump’s first two days of court in the hush-money trial did not exactly go as planned.

Zero jurors were selected during the first day, and 50 jurors were excused right out of the gate.

During the jury selection, Trump was heard mumbling and staring down jurors, which brought a rebuke from Judge Merchan, who threatened Trump with prison time.

Knock It Off

Merchan warned Trump that he could be arrested if he caused any disruptions during the proceedings.

Trump noted that he understood the instructions, but then he proceeded to act in a way that set the judge off.

The courtroom sketches all showed Trump with his now infamous scowl on his face, but that was not what got Trump into trouble.

Trump started to mutter something under his breath when one juror was being questioned. That juror ended up being dismissed, but Judge Merchan called out Trump’s behavior.

Merchan stated, "Your client was audibly uttering something.

"I won’t tolerate that. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear."

At the end of day one, prosecutors asked Merchan to hit Trump with a gag order violation, arguing, “The defendant has demonstrated his willingness to flout the order. He’s attacked witnesses in the case.”

Prosecutors were referring to a Trump post on Truth Social where Trump called Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, “two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!”

Trump’s attorneys responded, “It’s not as if President Trump is going out and targeting individuals. He is responding to salacious, repeated vehement attacks by these witnesses.”

Merchan stated that he would hold a hearing on the gag order claim next week.

Trump better be careful here because this judge is licking his chops at the opportunity to put Trump behind bars, and this behavior will not do him any good if he loses the case and files for an appeal.

Trump almost seems like he wants to go to jail so he can play the victim card to drive fundraising, which he has done exceptionally well during his presidential campaign.