The drama surrounding former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial continues to unfold as prosecutors accuse him of violating the gag order against him in the case multiple times. In addition to three previous alleged violations, prosecutors now claim Trump has violated the gag order an additional seven times. The gag order, imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, prohibits Trump from speaking publicly about various individuals involved in the case, including potential witnesses, jurors, counsel, and court staff. Violating the gag order could result in fines or even imprisonment for Trump.
Under New York law, Trump can face contempt charges if he is found to have violated the gag order, with potential consequences including fines of up to $1,000 per offense, up to 30 days in prison, or both. Prosecutors have requested a $3,000 fine for the initial three violations and have warned Trump that further violations could lead to additional fines or even imprisonment. The judge also cautioned Trump against disrupting the trial, stating that such behavior could result in fines or imprisonment as well.
As a criminal defendant, Trump is required to attend the trial unless he is explicitly excused. Failure to appear in court may lead to immediate arrest and imprisonment for contempt of court. Prosecutors have not yet specified what sanctions they want imposed for the seven additional alleged violations of the gag order. The trial is proceeding with jury selection expected to wrap up soon, followed by opening statements on Monday and approximately six weeks of proceedings.
In addition to potential sanctions for violating the gag order, Trump faces the possibility of prison time if convicted on the 34 felony counts against him. Each count of falsification of business records carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. While legal experts have suggested that prison time for Trump as a first-time offender is unlikely, it is still a possibility. Approximately 10% of similar cases involving falsification of business records have resulted in prison sentences, according to legal analysis.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and has characterized the case as a “witch hunt.” He has also objected strongly to the gag order and questioned its validity. Trump’s lawyers argue that the additional posts flagged by the prosecution do not violate the gag order as they relate to his presidential campaign or reposting other users’ comments. Trump has also criticized the judge for not excusing him from attending the trial for important events, although the judge has not yet made a final ruling on the matter. The case against Trump stems from alleged reimbursement payments he made to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to cover up an alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
