Former President Donald Trump made his usual post-trial statement in Manhattan on Monday, risking being thrown in jail if he breaks Judge Juan Merchan’s gag order again.
If the judge rules Trump does it again Tuesday night, Trump may be hauled off to jail… an act the rebellious Republican presidential candidate may be daring the court to do, saying it was a “sacrifice” he was willing to make.
Trump also denounced the prosecution’s contention that they would need “two to three more weeks” to present their case before he railed against the gag order, claiming that the judge is trying to keep him off the campaign trail.
“The judge is so happy about two to three more weeks because all they want is to keep me off the campaign trail. That’s all this is about.” Trump wrote on social media. “And have the other thing that maybe is even more disgraceful is the gag order, where I can’t, basically, I have to watch every word I tell you people. You ask me a question, a simple question, I’d like to give it but I can’t talk about it because this judge is giving me a gag order and says you’ll go to jail if you violate it. And frankly, you know what? Our Constitution is much more important than jail. It’s not even close. I’ll do that sacrifice any day.”
Judge Merchan ruled that Trump was in contempt for a tenth time on Monday and added a pointed warning that next time he would have the former president hauled to prison, stating that the $1,000 fines he has imposed were not effective.
Merchan’s order also warned that any future violations of the court’s lawful orders would mean jail time.
Trump’s recent statements on social media have has targeted Stormy Daniels, the adult film star with whom he allegedly had an extramarital sexual relationship, and Michael Cohen, his former lawyer-turned-convict who turned against him and is now a key witness in the case.
Trump also claimed that his trial was being held in “a purely Democrat area” that would tilt the jury, and that he cannot get a fair trial in Manhattan.
If Trump is convicted, it will be up to the same team of prosecutors he has called biased against him to decide whether to seek a prison sentence — and up to the same judge to determine the sentence.
The odds of Trump facing prison time after a conviction were already quietly creeping up due to the fact that his former CFO, Allen Weisselberg, has been sentenced to two different five-month stints on Riker’s Island after pleading guilty to conduct that allegedly benefited Trump.
If Trump is convicted and prosecutors decide to seek a prison sentence, his lawyers will need to explain why he should get probation after his employee served two prison sentences following guilty pleas.
As Trump manages his multi-pronged criminal defense alongside his bid for the White House, he finds himself in a perilous situation. While continues to denounce his criminal cases, if he doesn’t win his reelection bid, he is certainly exposed to potential prison time in his two federal criminal cases.
Trump would have a good shot at getting off with probation if he’s only convicted in the Manhattan case, but he seems happy to challenge to judge with his rebellious behavior.
And that could lead to jail time… even as soon as Wednesday.