Former President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay a $9,000 fine for repeatedly violating a court order that prohibited him from disparaging jurors and witnesses in his New York hush money trial. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan issued the fine on Tuesday, citing multiple breaches of the gag order previously imposed on Trump. A hearing on Thursday will further address the issue of gag order violations, potentially resulting in additional fines.
Prior to imposing the fine, Justice Merchan granted Trump permission to attend his son Barron’s graduation on May 17. The former president had faced accusations of violating the order 11 times by discussing individuals associated with the trial. Trump’s defense team argued that his remarks were in response to political attacks directed at him.
Justice Merchan has ruled that Trump is prohibited from disparaging jurors or witnesses involved in the criminal case, as well as the family members of court staff, including his own relatives and those of District Attorney Alvin Bragg. However, Trump is still allowed to criticize Bragg or Judge Merchan as he sees fit.
In recent days, Trump has publicly criticized expected trial witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels through comments made in public and on social media. While Cohen has also made remarks about Trump, he is not subject to the court’s gag order and will not face reprimand.
Prosecutors highlighted one of Trump’s reposted quotes from a Fox News host as the most “disturbing post,” alleging that it suggested undercover liberal activists were lying to the judge to secure a place on the jury. The court has ordered Trump to remove eight posts from his social media platform, Truth Social, and two from his campaign website, as they were deemed to target the jury, Cohen, and Daniels.
The jury in the trial is meant to remain anonymous, but concerns were raised during jury selection when several prospective panelists expressed worries about their identities being exposed. All 12 jurors and six alternates, hailing from diverse backgrounds and occupations, have sworn under oath that they are not affiliated with any political groups either supporting or opposing Trump.
While courts have the authority to imprison defendants for up to 30 days for violating gag orders, prosecutors did not request jail time for Trump. However, they did urge the judge to warn him that future breaches could result in incarceration.
Trump has argued that the gag order is “unfair” and claims that the court is infringing upon his constitutional right to free speech. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of felony falsifying business records, which stem from allegations of covering up a payment to Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors assert that this payment was part of an illegal conspiracy with the National Enquirer magazine to conceal damaging stories from voters ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
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What are the potential implications of a former president being fined for violating a court order, and how does this impact the perception of the rule of law in the United States?