Donald Trump — compelled to attend ongoing criminal trial proceedings in New York City on allegations of falsifying business records in connection to hush money from before the 2016 elections — was informed this Monday by presiding Judge Juan Merchan that the legal figure is prepared for the possibility of jailing the ex-president for contempt.
CNN’s Manu Raju shared a report of remarks from Merchan that he credited to colleagues. “The magnitude of this decision is not lost on me but at the end of the day I have a job to do,” Merchan reportedly told Trump. “So as much as I don’t want to impose a jail sanction… I want you to understand that I will if necessary and appropriate.”
Merchan again found Trump in contempt on Monday in the context of a gag order previously imposed by the judge that protects witnesses, jurors, and others. Twice now, Merchan has imposed the maximum in financial penalties for such violations… but that’s just $1,000 per offense, which the judge has called out as clearly falling short in circumstances where the violating defendant is personally wealthy.
Merchan said on the occasion of earlier contempt findings that he was prepared to consider detention in the future, though a hearing on the second round of allegations against Trump that produced Monday’s finding of contempt was already set in motion when that decision came out. Detention for findings of contempt reportedly could reach up to 30 days on each violation.
Previously, a member of the prosecution suggested that Trump was potentially pushing for that kind of outcome, which — in theory — the ex-president could try using to his political advantage.
Meanwhile, Trump’s trial was continuing on Monday with additional testimony after recent appearances by figures including longtime Trump confidante Hope Hicks, who’s held formal roles in Trump’s orbit during his time in politics and government.
