Secret Service has plans if Trump is confined for contempt: Sources
The U.S. Secret Service has held meetings and started planning for what to do if former President Trump were to be held in contempt and Judge Juan Merchan opted to send him to short-term confinement, officials familiar with the situation tell ABC News.
Prosecutors said at this point they are seeking a fine.
"We are not yet seeking an incarceratory penalty," assistant district attorney Chris Conroy said, "But the defendant seems to be angling for that."
![PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump appears in Manhattan Supreme Court in New York City, April 23 2024.](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/827337b1-82fb-4662-a7fb-dba767447d1d/trump16-rt-ml-240423_1713885413151_hpMain_4x3.jpg)
Officials do not necessarily believe Merchan would put Trump in a holding cell in the courthouse but they are planning for contingencies, the officials said.
There have be no discussion about what to do if Trump is convicted and sentenced to prison, they said.
"Under federal law, the United States Secret Service must provide protection for current government leaders, former Presidents and First Ladies, visiting heads of state and other individuals designated by the President of the United States," the Secret Service said in an official statement. "For all settings around the world, we study locations and develop comprehensive and layered protective models that incorporate state of the art technology, protective intelligence and advanced security tactics to safeguard our protectees. Beyond that, we do not comment on specific protective operations."
-Josh Margolin and Luke Barr