In a pivotal moment of the ongoing legal saga, former President Donald Trump is at the center of a contempt hearing over allegations of violating a gag order in his highly publicized hush money trial. The court, under the scrutiny of Judge Juan Merchan, is set to deliberate on whether Trump’s social media tirades against likely witnesses and jurors breach the restrictions imposed to maintain the integrity of court proceedings.
Prosecutor Chris Conroy said he’d be filing another motion on those comments later Tuesday.“ The purpose of this hearing is to find out whether the defendant Mr. Trump should be held in contempt for one or all of these violations,” the judge said as the hearing began.
The DA’s office is seeking the maximum $1,000 fine for each of the 10 posts it says violated the order, along with an order that Trump remove the posts from his social media platform. It also wants Merchan to warn Trump any future violations risk not just additional fines but also as long as 30 days in jail.Trump attorney Todd Blanche contends his client hasn’t violated the April 1 order.
Trump’s attorneys have argued that the posts didn’t violate the order because he was largely sharing posts from other people and news outlets. They also contend that the order allows Trump to defend himself from attacks, so he was within his rights to speak out because Cohen and Daniels have criticized him publicly.
Despite this defense, the prosecution remains steadfast in its accusation that Trump’s actions exhibit a willful disregard for court mandates.The limited gag order was put in place to prevent statements about witnesses, jurors, and lawyers, with the exception of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, as part of an effort to shield the judicial process from undue influence and intimidation. Yet Trump’s posts have continued to target Michael Cohen, his former attorney, and adult film actress Stormy Daniels, both likely witnesses in the trial.
Significantly, Trump has been known to compare himself to Nelson Mandela regarding his perception of being targeted by the court’s restrictions, heightening the drama surrounding the hearing. The controversy is not limited to social media, as Trump is reported to have continued his denunciations of Cohen even within earshot of the courthouse, questioning the timing of when “all the lies that Cohen did at the last trial” would be examined. This, paired with his social media activities, which include reposting articles from his campaign website and making suggestive comments about “undercover liberal activists” infiltrating the jury, have led to today’s hearing.
Relevant articles:
– Hearing in Trump hush money case will determine if Trump is held in contempt, abcnews.go.com, 04/23/2024
– Why Trump Will Likely be Held in Contempt and What Then, Just Security, Mon, 22 Apr 2024 17:05:46 GMT
– Judge in Trump trial to hold hearing on gag order before witness testimony resumes, NBC News, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:00:40 GMT
– Trump trial: Hearing on gag order violations; David Pecker to resume testimony, NBC 6 South Florida, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:35:52 GMT