In his New York hush-money trial, former President Donald Trump stated on Monday that it would be worthwhile to go to jail for breaking the gag order as “our Constitution is much more important than jail.”
At the end of another day of his criminal trial, Trump was fielding questions from the media outside the Manhattan courtroom when he made the remark. Judge Juan Merchan’s gag order, which forbids Trump from discussing prospective witnesses, jurors, court employees, attorneys, and the judge’s family throughout the trial, has already resulted in a $10,000 punishment for the presumed Republican presidential nominee. Merchan informed Trump that if the former president broke the gag order once again, he would “consider a prison term” following the imposition of his most recent fee on Monday.
“Jail is the last thing I want to think about. Fox News said that Merchan declared, “You are [the] past president and probably the next president.”
“I am aware of the significance of that choice,” he continued. “Your persistent and deliberate disregard for the court’s directive is an outright assault, and we will not allow you to continue.”
Following the end of the day’s court proceedings, Trump spoke about the gag order and Merchan’s threat to put the former president in jail.
With a gesture toward the media, Trump declared, “I have to monitor every word I tell you, folks.” “You ask me a straightforward question, and while I would like to respond, I am unable to discuss it. This court has imposed a gag order on me and has threatened to put me in jail if I violate it.
Trump said, “And to be really honest, you know what, our Constitution is far more important than jail.” “It is not even near.” Any day, I will make that sacrifice.
Last week, Merchan fined Trump $9,000 after the court found that the former president had mentioned the defendants nine times, primarily in posts on his social media site, Truth Social. On Monday, he received an additional $1,000 in fines for yet another post on Truth Social.
The hush-money trial may drag on for a further two to three weeks, according to the prosecution’s Monday statement. If this happens, Trump would have to spend four days a week in the Manhattan courthouse through the end of May.
We have learned that the government has requested an extension of two to three weeks. That implies they would like me to stay off the trail for an additional two to three weeks,” Trump remarked. “They all want to keep me off the campaign trail, which makes the judge quite pleased about two or three more weeks.” That is the primary focus of this issue. This is related to meddling in elections.
Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Republican presidential contender Donald Trump with 34 felonies, claiming that Trump fabricated financial documents to conceal an alleged relationship with porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump claims that the trial is a political “witch hunt” and “election meddling,” and he rejects all of the accusations.