Manhattan prosecutors have accused former President Donald Trump of violating a gag order multiple times. The judge is set to review the case.
The prosecutors have alleged that Trump breached the gag order by attacking witnesses and jurors involved in his hush money case. Justice Juan Merchan has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday to consider the prosecutors’ arguments, reported Politico.
If the judge finds Trump in violation of the gag order, he will have to decide on the appropriate penalty. This could range from a warning to a fine to a short jail term. Several former prosecutors anticipate Merchan’s leniency, yet they emphasize the fluidity, unpredictability, and unprecedented nature of the situation.
Trump’s social media posts during the trial have been cited as exacerbating his legal risks. The prosecutors have pointed out multiple instances of Trump’s alleged violations, including a post on Truth Social where he referred to a key witness as a “disgraced attorney and felon.”
The situation is described as a First Amendment nightmare, as political speech benefits from strong protections. Trump’s legal team could potentially appeal any contempt ruling and argue on First Amendment grounds.
The hush money trial is a significant legal battle for Trump. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence, as each of the 34 charges he is facing is a Class E felony, with a maximum prison sentence of four years per count.
