Analysis: Judge’s warning provides dilemma for Trump over whether he will risk jail for a political point | CNN Politics
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Donald Trump and the judge presiding over his hush money trial are staring each other down with profound implications for the former president, the coming election and the rule of law in the United States.

Donald Trump and the judge presiding over his hush money trial are staring each other down with profound implications for the former president, the coming election and the rule of law in the United States.

Juan Merchan is now closer than any judge in American history to putting an ex-president behind bars after laying down a red line he says he may have no choice but to enforce if Trump does not start obeying the rules.

Merchan on Monday found Trump had yet again violated a gag order that precludes attacks on witnesses, the jury and others, days after he fined him $1,000 each for nine previous transgressions. But he noted that the defendant wasn’t getting the message and warned he would have to escalate if necessary and appropriate in the future, as much as he sees the option as a “last resort.”

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The timing of the judge’s warning was significant because several moments of maximum stress are approaching for Trump with testimony expected soon from his former lawyer Michael Cohen and former adult film star Stormy Daniels.

  • Heikki
    611·
    1 month ago

    In my experience, if you threaten someone with a consequence, you have to follow through. If you only keep threatening, the point of the other consequence is moot.

    The best way to do it is to 1st issue a warning about what you are doing. 2nd, upon failing to follow the rules, you do what you are doing.

    If you don’t do it after the 1st warning, you are feckless. You can skip the 1st step if threatened by the person beforehand.

    On a different note. I think Don Von Shitzhimself is really looking for an excuse to not atten Barron’s HD graduation, and jail would be the perfect pitty party for him to share with his supporters

    • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
      22·
      1 month ago

      I fully expect Merchan to follow through with this threat if it happens again. As far I’m aware, it sounds like the subject of this 2nd contempt hearing actually happened before the 1st contempt hearing, but came to light afterward, so it wasn’t a “I’ll let you off light this time” scenario. Future violations will undoubtedly lead to jail time…I think the media shit storm will be intolerable