Trump Faces Jail Threat As He Violates Gag Order Again
As Trump’s hush money trial enters its third week, prosecutors scrutinize business records that could prove their case. Moreover, the former President received his 10th violation for breaking his gag order. If convicted, potential jail time looms, complicating trial proceedings.
What is Trump’s Gag Order?
The gag order prevents Trump from attacking potential witnesses, jurors, court staffers, prosecutors, and their families.
Trump’s latest offense occurred on April 22 during a media interview. The former President complained that the Judge rushed the trial and the jury was mostly Democrats.
“The jury was picked so fast- 95% Democrats. The area’s mostly all Democrat. You think of it as a purely Democrat area. It’s a very unfair situation that I can tell you,” Trump said in the interview.
The Judge fined Trump $1,000 for violating his gag order and threatened the reality star with jail time because the financial penalties have not prevented Trump from speaking out.
“Because this is now the tenth time that this court has found the defendant in criminal contempt spanning three separate motions, it is apparent that monetary fines have not, and will not, suffice to deter Defendant from violating this court’s lawful orders,” the Judge said of the gag order.
“Going forward, this court will have to consider a jail sanction,” the Judge said, looking directly at the President. He also expressed reluctance to fine the former President, who may become the future President, but felt his hands were tied.
Trump could serve up to 30 days in jail for his gag order violations. However, his imprisonment would delay the trial and cause logistical complications.
Other Court Happenings
The gag order jail threat was not the only new development. Former Trump organization executive Jeff McConney took the stand. He showed the court several company records that provide evidence of Trump’s 34 felony charges.
Prosecutors accuse the former President of falsifying records to conceal a hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors state that Trump paid Daniels the money to cover up negative press that revealed an affair between himself and a porn star. Until now, Trump’s reputation has been a focus rather than his financial records.
Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied the affair. He also accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who filed the charges, of having political motivations. Bragg is a Democrat.
Falsified Records
The falsified records included 12 general ledger entries, 11 checks, and 11 invoices. The jury viewed the records on a projector screen, revealing several invoices marked as legal retainers for Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen. Prosecutors stated that these were reimbursement payments to Cohen, who paid off Daniels.
“Did you ever see a retainer agreement?” prosecutor Colangelo asked the witness.
“I did not,” McConney replied.
During cross-examination, Trump’s lawyers questioned McConney about falsifying the records. McConney stated he had not communicated with Trump regarding this matter.
McConney had previously testified at Trump’s tax fraud case and had issues with the prosecutors and Judge. They are also overseeing the hush money case. McConney was declared a hostile witness at the previous trial because the Judge found his responses evasive.
The Trump Organization will pay for McConney’s legal fees in this trial. Eric Trump, Trump’s former lawyer Alina Habba, and several of the President’s former advisors observed the trial from the courtroom gallery as McConney testified.
Today’s happenings bored jurors. By late morning, many looked around the courtroom. The attitude was different from last week’s atmosphere when jurors listened to tales of Trump’s team’s attempts to cover up the Daniels affair.
