Prosecutors seek to have Trump fined for social media posts
Prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney's office asked Judge Merchan's permission to seek to hold former President Trump in contempt for alleged violations of the judge's order against attacking witnesses.
"We're seeking permission to file a proposed order to show cause to show why the defendant should not be held in contempt based on extrajudicial statements," assistant district attorney Chris Conroy said.
He said the order would seek a $1,000 fine for each of three social media posts that prosecutors said violated the judge's limited gag order.
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The three allegedly offending posts occurred this month when Trump reposted a social media post from Stormy Daniels' former attorney Michael Avenatti that was disparaging of Daniels and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, plus a second post about Daniels and a third post about a member of the prosecution team.
"It is important for the court to remind President Trump he is a criminal defendant," Conroy said. "The defendant has expressed a willingness to flout the order" Merchan imposed.
Defense attorney Todd Blanche said the three posts do not violate the gag order. He sought permission to formally respond in writing.