TRUMP'S TRIAL: NEW YORK COURT TO CONSIDER HOLDING TRUMP IN CONTEMPT FOR VERBAL ATTACKS ON JURORS, PROSECUTORS

The New York court holding former US President Donald Trump's trial in the hush money case will on Tuesday consider holding him in contempt.

The prosecutors have alleged that Trump has violated gag orders imposed on him at least 10 times. Judge Juan Merchan has imposed two gag orders on Trump. The first order prevented him from speaking ill against the jurors, court staff, witnesses, and prosecutors. It was later expanded to include families of the judge and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

The prosecutors have said that Trump has violated the gag orders at least 10 times. Chris Conroy, one of the prosecutors, said these violations pose a very real "threat" to the case as they have an "undertow" effect on witnesses and make them afraid, according to The New York Times.

The witness testimony in the hush money case will start once the contempt hearing is concluded. The case is related to Trump's alleged falsification of business records in the payment of $130,000 to buy the silence of adult film actor Stormy Daniels with whom he allegedly had an affair.

Trump could be fined $10,000, will escape prison if held in contempt

If he is held in contempt, Trump could be fined $10,000 for the 10 alleged violations of the gag orders. It is because the law in New York state allows for a maximum fine of $1,000 per violation.

The prosecutors have not sought jail time for Trump, but asked the judge to remined him that future violations could lead to imprisonment of up to 30 days, according to The Times.

Trump is accused of violating the gag orders by his own statements and by sharing quotes and articles on social media. These acts have put jurors and witnesses, including Michael Cohen, at risk of violence and harassment, according to prosecutors. Cohen is a former personal lawyer and fixer of Trump and is central to the hush money case.

On Monday, Trump at a fund-raiser said that he "could be thrown in jail" and "Democrats will have free rein to destroy our country" if he is held in contempt, according to the report.

2024-04-23T14:29:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd