Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on in court at a state court in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., during his criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records to conceal a 2016 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels Still going on.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
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Donald Trump’s hush-money trial in New York resumes Tuesday with the return of the first witness, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker.
But before Pecker could continue his testimony, Judge Juan Merchan held a hearing on whether the former president should be held in contempt of court for allegedly violating the gag order 10 times by posting online.
Seven of the posts were made during last week’s jury selection process. Most mentioned or linked to articles mentioning Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, a key witness in the Manhattan Supreme Court trial.
One of Trump’s posts on The Truth Society echoed Fox News host Jesse Waters’ assertion that “undercover liberal activists” “lyed to judges to get on Trump’s jury.”
Assistant District Attorney Chris Conroy wrote in a court filing Thursday that the posts “undoubtedly relate to known witnesses and prospective jurors in this criminal trial” and violated Trump’s ban. Words and orders.
During a hearing Tuesday morning, Conroy accused Trump of violating the gag order again when he spoke about Cohen outside the court on Monday.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Manhattan State Court in New York City, the United States, on April 23. He is accused of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016. The criminal trial continues.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
Conroy said state prosecutors will file court documents later Tuesday based on the latest alleged violations, similar to those that triggered the contempt hearing.
“His disobedience was intentional. It was intentional,” Conroy said. “He knew what he wasn’t allowed to do, but he did it anyway.”
Trump’s attorney, Todd Branch, countered that “there was absolutely no intentional violation of the gag order.”
Branch pointed out that Trump’s gag order does not prevent him from responding to political attacks. He argued that Trump’s posts were in response to political comments and not in response to witness testimony.
Branch said Trump is trying to carefully comply with the gag order. But Merchant didn’t seem convinced.
“Mr. Branch, you are losing all credibility with the court,” the judge said.
Prosecutors want Murchin to find Trump in contempt of court.If this happens, the merchant can technically impose punish The offense may be punished by a small fine of up to 30 days in county jail.
Conroy said during the hearing that while the state is not seeking to incarcerate Trump, the silent investigation should remind him that “incarceration is an option if necessary.”
Jurors on Monday heard opening arguments from prosecutors who accuse Trump of leading a criminal hush-money scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election. The defense also delivered its opening statement, denying that Trump committed any crime.
“This was pure election fraud,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told the jury.
Defense attorney Todd Branch countered: “I have a spoiler alert: There is nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. That’s called democracy.”
Trump is accused of falsifying business records to discreetly reimburse Cohen. silence.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accused Trump of running a hush-money scheme to influence the 2016 election, which he ultimately won.
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